Comparison study on the daily performance capability and body fat percentage for a healthy life among elderly people using a senior welfare center

Abstract

The prevalence of chronic diseases in Korea has been rising with obesity as the result of increasing elderly population. Secondary problems such as hypertension, diabetes, and degenerative arthritis caused by obesity affect activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) among elderly people. However, the performance level of ADLs/IADLs and obesity rates according to age have scarcely been investigated. Therefore, we focused on the performance level of ADLs and IADLs among the elderly for investigating disabilities, obesity, and their correlation to age. The subjects were divided into three groups on 80 elderly men and 143 women registered at a senior welfare center (SWC) in I-Cheon according to their age (in their 60s, 70s, and 80s). Their disabilities and body fat percentages were measured and then compared to data from young adults who were in their 20s to discover changes according to age. In this results, 90% of the elderly possessed chronic diseases when their performance levels of ADLs and IADLs were lowered. Those in their 70s, the group that used the senior welfare facilities the most, showed the lowest levels of decline in ADLs and IADLs among participants aged 60–80. In terms of obesity, the elderly possessed a higher degree of overall body fat and a higher ratio of body fat to lean body mass. There were no significant differences in skinfold thickness according to age group. Our results suggest that social education for exercise programs and the use of physical therapy facilities should be encouraged to promote a healthy lifestyle among the elderly people.