Comparison of Food and Nutrient Intake according to the Income Level in Korean Adult Single-Person Households: Using Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016-2018)

This study was conducted to analyze food and nutrient intake according to the income level of single-person households (SPH) using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey (KNHANES). A total of 951 SPH with individuals aged 19 to 64 years were selected, and their general characteristics, food, and nutrient intake were analyzed. The low-income group included a higher number of individuals in their 20s and over 50s, and the high-income group included a higher number of individuals in their 30s and 40s. The high-income group consumed more fish and alcohol, had a higher dietary variety score, and a higher intake of water, protein, phosphorus, potassium, and riboflavin compared to the low-income group. The high-income group had a high ratio of protein intake to energy intake, and the low-income group had a ratio of high carbohydrate to energy intake. The low-income group’s consumption of protein, riboflavin, phosphorus, sodium, and potassium was below the dietary reference intakes for Koreans (KDRIs), while the high-income group’s intake had a low nutrient density of carbohydrates and a high nutrient density of phosphorus. This study showed that food and nutritional intake differed depending on the income level. It is believed that these results can be used to provide basic data to solve nutritional problems according to the income level of single-adult households.