Sex-Specific Energy Intakes and Physical Activity Levels According to the Presence of Metabolic Syndrome in Korean Elderly People: Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2016-2018

This study aimed to analyze the differences in energy intake and physical activity (PA) levels according to sex and the presence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) among elderly people in Korea. Data of 3720 elderly people (aged >65 years) were obtained from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016-2018). We analyzed PA levels (occupational and recreational PA) and energy intakes (carbohydrate, protein, and fat). The MetS group showed lower levels of moderate intensity recreational PA and place movement than the non-MetS group (p< 0.05); in the MetS group, PA levels were significantly lower in women than in men (p< 0.05). The intakes of total energy, carbohydrate, fat, and protein were lower in the MetS group than in the non-MetS group (p< 0.001). Both the non-MetS and MetS groups showed lower energy intakes in women than men (p< 0.001). Our study shows that elderly people, especially women, with MetS have significantly lower total PA levels and total energy intakes. We confirmed the importance of increased PA and proper nutritional intake in elderly people. Therefore, it is believed that practical measures such as nutrition education and nutrition guidance and PA education are urgently needed to reduce the incidence of MetS among the elderly.