Quality of Diets Consumed by Older Rural Adults

Abstract

Older adults residing in rural communities are at risk for low dietary quality because of a variety of social, physical and environmental circumstances. Minority elders are at additional risk because of poorer health status and lower socioeconomic status. This study evaluated the food group intake of 130 older (>70 years) African American (34%), European American (36%), and Native American (30%) residents of two rural communities in central North Carolina. An interviewer-administered food frequency questionnaire was used to measure dietary intake. Food items were classified into food groups similar to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Guide Pyramid and the National Cancer Institutes 5 A Day for Better Health program. None of the survey participants met minimum intake recommendations and most over-consumed fats, oils, sweets and snacks. African Americans and Native Americans consumed fewer servings of meats,fruits and vegetables, and fats, oils, sweets and snacks than European Americans. African American men consumed the fewest servings of fruits and vegetables of all gender/ethnic groups. Consumption of fats, oils and sweets was greatest among those 85 years and older and was more common among denture users. National strategies to educate the public about the importance of consuming a varied diet based on the recommendations presented in national nutrition education campaigns may not be reaching older adults in rural communities, particularly minority group members.

Nutritional Parameters and Chronic Energy Deficiency in Older Adults of Desert Areas of Western Rajasthan, India

“…Older adults in rural communities are at risk for inferior dietary quality because of a variety of social, physical, and environmental circumstances (5). Inherently, older adults in rural India are at greater risk of nutritional deficiencies than younger adults due to physiological changes with aging, financial and social constraints, and functional decline (6).…”

Food Intake of Kansans Over 80 Years of Age Attending Congregate Meal Sites

“…As expected, the food group intake for the older adults surveyed was lower than recommended levels [4,5,6,7,12]. When MyPyramid was released in 2005, one of the changes made was to redefine serving size.…”

“…Previous reports of food group intake have shown older adults tend to consume fewer than the recommended servings for each of the food groups [4,5,6]. Older adults are most likely to meet the recommended intake of fruit [5,7].…”

“…Older adults are most likely to meet the recommended intake of fruit [5,7]. Grain group and dairy group recommendations are least likely to be met by older adults [4,5,7]. …”

Social Support and Dietary Quality in Older African American Public Housing Residents

“…With regard to gender, studies show instances of both Black women or Black men having inadequate diets (Bowman 2007;Cohen, Ralston et al 1998;Davis et al 2000;Prothro and Rosenbloom 1999;Sharkey and Schoenberg 2002;Tangney et al 2001;Vitolins et al 2002). However, some research has shown that African American women may have lower dietary quality (Bowman, 2007;Prothro and Rosenbloom 1999;Sharkey and Schoenberg 2002), even with income controlled.…”