The vitamin and mineral intake of a free-living young elderly Australian population in relation to total diet and supplementation practices.

Abstract

Although there have been several studies of the nutritional intake and status of elderly sections of industrialized countries such as Britain, the United States and Australia, most of these studies relate to institutionalized elderly or those receiving social support such as meals-on-wheels. The study reported here presents the results of a dietary survey of a randomly selected group of free-living younger elderly residents of Adelaide, Australia. Mean intakes for most nutrients were equal to or above the recommended intakes. The proportion of subjects 'at risk' was not as high as reported for less able elderly groups but the nutrients 'at risk' were similar, namely: folate, calcium, vitamin B6, zinc, magnesium and copper. Comparisons with the results of two other random surveys of free-living elderly residents of Boston and Gothenburg showed some variation in total intakes especially amongst women but many similarities in the patterns of nutrient density and nutrients 'at risk'.