Nutrition status of the elderly in Anogia, Crete, Greece.

Abstract

General health and nutritional status of 167 free-living elderly Greek (aged 65-91 years) were assessed. The most prevalent diseases/symptoms encountered were related to respiratory, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal and vascular systems (hypertension). Most subjects were socially active. Body mass index was < 20 and > 25 Kg/m2 in 7 and 57% of the subjects, respectively. Systolic blood pressure was significantly higher in women than in men, and as a group, 18 and 42%, respectively, had diastolic blood pressures > 90 and systolic blood pressures > 160 mmHg. Anemia and hypoalbuminemia were detected in < 5% of the population. Total fat intake was 40-45% of total energy intake and most of it came from monounsaturated fat. Hypercholesterolemia (> 6 mmol/L) was present in 32% of subjects. The percentages of men who smoked (66%) or drank (68%) were significantly higher than those of women (2 and 1%, respectively). Dietary intake data were compared with US recommended dietary allowances (RDA) for elderly. Daily energy and protein intakes were lower than the US RDA levels; calcium intake was > 50% of the US RDA, while magnesium and vitamin B6 levels were < 50% of the US RDA. Vitamin C intake was much higher than that of the US RDA. Mean thiamin, vitamin A, riboflavin and iron intakes were below the US RDA, while fiber intake was < 50% of the corresponding US estimate. Phosphorus was higher than the US RDA in men, while lower for women. Sodium intakes exceeded those recommended, while potassium levels were higher than those recommended in males, and lower in females.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Nutritional status and physical fitness of elderly sportsmen

“…These data con®rm the observations of Garry et al (1982) showing 40% de®cit of RDA for vitamin D and the observations of Vir and Love (1979) and Kafatos et al (1993) showing that magnesium, vitamin D and B6 were lacking in the diet of the elderly. As for mineral de®cits, interpretations must be made carefully.…”

“…It has been demonstrated that the nutritional status (macro nutrient, mineral and vitamin intakes) of the elderly is characterized by a reduction of the total energy intakes (McLeod et al 1974;Garry et al 1982;Kromhout 1983;Saba and Cialfa 1992) and sometimes by a de®cit in intake of minerals and vitamins (McLeod et al 1974;Vir and Love 1979;Kafatos et al 1993). However, these results were measured on non-speci®c populations living at home (McLeod et al 1974;Voorrips et al 1991;Saba and Cialfa 1992) or in an institution (Vir and Love 1979).…”

Nutritional Factors in Cerebral Aging and Dementia: Epidemiological Arguments for a Role of Oxidative Stress

“…The deleterious effects of a diet rich in saturated fat are well characterized, but the breakdown of dietary unsaturated fats by individuals also has an important effect [21]. The traditional Cretan diet, that is based mainly on olive oil (rich in oleic acid), vegetables, cereals and moderate quantities of wine is associated with one of the longest life expectancies and one of the lowest rates of cardiovascular disease on the planet [22,23]. A Mediterranean-type diet when consumed by Danes was equally protective against death in that population [24].…”

Estimation of vitamin needs—riboflavin, vitamin B6 and ascorbic acid-according to blood parameters and functional-cognitive and emotional indices in a selected well-established group of elderly in a home for the aged in Israel.

“…According to the data of individual consumption (not shown), none of the subjects consumed all of the micronutrients at a level exceeding twothirds of the RDA. The following micronutrients are detailed in ascending order of consumption (Table 1): a) a-tocopherol, vitamin D and copper-intake of more than half of the subjects was below two-thirds and the average intake was below 50% of the RDA; b) biotin, vitamin B 6 • thiamin, manganese, zinc and magnesium-intake of more than one-third of the subjects was below two-thirds and average intake was 60 to 100% of the RDA; c) retinol, folic acid, AA and calcium-intake of a few subjects was below two-thirds, and average intake was 110 to 120% of the RDA; d) pantothenic acid, riboflavin, niacin, potassium and iron-intake was close to the RDA, and average intake was 110 to 150% of the RDA; and e) lowest intake of , Medians of several studies [28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46] anda review [I) performed in elderly people. Number of studies from which the data were collected are parenthesized.…”

“…Median value for each nutrient density (lJ.g or mglMcal) is presented as calculated from data collected from 19 studies [28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46] and a review [1] performed in elderly people. For biotin and pantothenic acid, a value from only one study is available.…”