Effect of Body Composition of Socially Vulnerable Elderly with Diabetes and Social Support on Self-Care Behavior

Abstract

Purpose: This study is to identify the effects of body composition and social support that affect the self-care behavior of the elderly with diabetes in the socially vulnerable group. Methods:The subjects of this study were 120 health care recipients registered at 5 public health centers in D city and aged 65 or older who were diagnosed with diabetes by their doctors. The data were analyzed by t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation, and hierarchical multiple regression. Results:The results of this study showed that the higher the BMI, the abdominal fat percentage and the body fat percentage, the lower the self-care behaviors and social support, and the higher the basic metabolism, the higher the self-care activities. In the final model, the total explanatory power of these variables was 56.3%. Conclusions: Based on the results of this study, it is suggested that a self-care enhancement program considering the balanced body composition and high social support is developed and utilized in the socially vulnerable elderly with diabetes.