Association Between Exposure to Age Discrimination and Nutritional Risk: Findings from a Nationwide Sample of Older Adults in South Korea

Abstract

Background: Ageism and age-related discrimination are growing public health concerns that can have detrimental effects on the health of older adults. However, their association with nutritional health remains unexplored. This study explored the association between age discrimination and nutritional risk among older adults in Republic of Korea.

Methods: This study is a cross-sectional analysis of the 2023 National Survey of Older Korean. 9951 adults aged ≥ 65 years from the 2023 National Survey of Older Koreans. Age discrimination was assessed based on the reported experiences in six everyday settings: public transportation; commercial facilities; public institutions; healthcare facilities; workplaces; and family. Nutritional status was measured using the Nutrition Screening Initiative and categorized into low; moderate; and high nutritional risk groups. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to determine the association between age discrimination and nutritional risk and estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results: The mean age of participants was 74.0 years. Among the participants, 73.7% reported no age discrimination, whereas 15.4%, 6.0%, and 4.9% experienced age discrimination in one; two; and three or more settings, respectively. After adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics and health factors, compared to individuals who did not experience age discrimination, those who experienced discrimination in one, two, or three or more dimensions had 1.40-fold (95% CI: 1.17-1.69), 1.46-fold (95% CI: 1.13-1.89), and 1.89-fold (95% CI: 1.44-2.48) higher odds of being at high nutritional risk, respectively.

Conclusion: Age discrimination exposure may be a risk factor for poor nutritional health in older adults. Policy efforts are needed to reduce age-related discrimination and stigmatization and promote equitable conditions for healthy aging.