Food and nutrient intake in a group of self-managing elderly Swedish women
Nydhal, M.; Andersson, J.; Sidenvall, B.; Gustafsson, K.; Fjellström, C.
Journal of Nutrition Health and Aging 7(2): 67-74
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 1279-7707 PMID: 12679824 Document Number: 562591
Objective: To investigate the food and nutrient intake of self-managing elderly women in Sweden. Design: A 3-day self-reported food diary and a repeated 24-h dietary recall were used. The study comprised of 135 single-living or married/cohabiting women (mean age, 79.5+or-8.0 years) recruited between February 1997 and May 1998. Results: The mean energy intake for the whole group was 6.8+or-1.9 MJ, and low energy figures were obtained in all age groups indicating some possible underreporting with a calculated EIrep/BMRest of 1.24+or-0.36 for the whole group. Overall, energy and nutrient intakes were similar in the different age groups (64-68, 74-78 and 84-88 years). Reported intakes of vitamin D (4.8+or-2.7 micro g), tocopherol (5.9+or-2.2 mg), iron (8.5+or-2.9 mg), folate (200+or-8.7 micro g) and selenium (29+or-11 micro g) were low compared to recommended intakes. Only minor differences between women in different household types were found. The women reported a variety of food items in their diet. Conclusions: Overall, the results from this study indicate that self-managing elderly women report low energy figures, but have a sufficient intake of most nutrients. However, there is a tendency that the oldest women (aged 84-88 years) have lower intakes.