Dietary Intake In Older Adults Research Articles

Ethnic Differences in Dietary Intake in Older Adults with Cognitive Impairment

Ethnic Differences in Dietary Intake in Older Adults with Cognitive Impairment

Edentulism and nutritional status in a biracial sample of well-functioning, community-dwelling elderly: the Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study

Edentulism may affect dietary intake in older adults, but the relation between edentulism and nutritional status is not completely understood. The present study examined whether edentulism is associated with nutritional status and whether there is an interaction between race and edentulism on nutritional status among well-functioning, community-dwelling elderly. The study cohort included 3075 elderly aged 70-79 y (52% women, 42% black) in the Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study. Dietary intake, anthropometric variables, weight change, and serum albumin and lipid concentrations were compared between edentate and dentate participants by the use of multiple linear and logistic regressions. Edentulism was not associated with total energy or food intake but was associated with the food groups consumed, particularly fat, micronutrients, and hard-to-chew foods. Edentulism was more strongly linked to dietary intake in whites than in blacks. Unlike black edentate elderly, white edentate elderly consumed significantly lower energy-adjusted amounts of vitamin A and beta-carotene, higher amounts of energy-adjusted total and saturated fat and cholesterol, and higher percentages of energy from fat than did white dentate elderly. Anthropometry and biochemical indexes were not significantly different by edentulism status in both races. Edentulism was associated with weight gains of >5% in 1 y in both races. Edentulism was associated with differences in the nutritional status of well-functioning, community-dwelling elderly, more so in whites than blacks. Edentate elders may benefit from dental, medical, and nutrition interventions targeted to addressing these findings.

Dietary intake of older adults in the Kingston area.

The objectives of this research were to describe the dietary intake and identify risk factors for poor dietary intake in community-dwelling older adults living in the Kingston, Frontenac, and Lennox & Addington Health Unit area. Dietary intake information was collected from a convenience sample of 105 relatively healthy, active older adults (84 women, 21 men) using 24-hour recalls from three non-consecutive days. Risk factors for poor dietary intake were identified through a structured interview. Multiple linear regression was used to generate a model to predict dietary intake, which was measured using a diet score based on Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating. Group averages reflected reasonable diet quality, but some subjects had very low nutrient intakes, particularly of zinc and vitamins B6, B12, and C. On average, women had a lower-than-recommended intake from all food groups, while men consumed adequate amounts of all food groups except milk products. Higher scores indicated better overall diet quality, and the following were significant predictors of a high diet score: "almost always" preparing one's own meals, food "almost always" or "sometimes/never" tasting good, eating lunch every day, and taking fewer prescription medications. This model requires validation with a larger and more diverse population of community-dwelling older adults.

Does a Nutrition Handout cause Behavior Changes on the Dietary Intake of Older Adults?

LEARNING OUTCOME: To understand that a nutrition handout, with no accompanying dietary counseling, produced no behavior changes in the dietary habits of healthy older adults.The effects of a nutrition handout (with no dietary counseling provided) on dietary intake in older adults was studied. The research subjects included 18 older adults (14 females and 4 males) from rural western Pennsylvania, with a mean age of 74.1±6.4 years. Data collection included two 3-day food records and a questionnaire about personal information. Intervention included a written nutrition handout provided between food records, that was relevant to the subject's specific dietary concerns. No nutrition counseling was offered. The pre- and post-dietary records were analyzed using the Nutritionist IV computer program. Data analysis methods included descriptive statistics and use of the dependent t-test. In terms of health-related habits, 55.6% of older adults used multivitamin/mineral supplements and 22.2% used individual supplements, 61.1% exercised at least 3 times per week on a regular basis and used prescription drugs, 38.9% lived alone, 27.8% participated in congregate nutrition programs, 11.1% consumed alcohol, and none smoked. In comparing pre- and post-records, there was no statistically significant difference found (p<.05) between the two 3-day food records when analyzing for total kcalorie, carbohydrate, protein, fat, vitamin, and mineral intake. Overall, the mean intakes of the older adults’ diets were adequate for all nutrients except vitamin D (66.0% and 63.7% of the RDA for pre- and post-recalls, respectively). The results suggest that a nutrition handout alone is inadequate for helping older adults improve their eating habits. It appears that dietitians need to take a more active role in order for behavior changes to occur in the dietary intakes of older adults.

Dietary intake, food preferences, stimulated salivary flow rate, and masticatory ability in older adults with complete dentitions.

This study was conducted to determine whether significant relationships exist among the masticatory ability, chewing-stimulated salivary flow rate, food preferences, and dietary intake of older adults with complete natural dentitions. Pearson r correlations revealed that significant relationships existed between: (1) salivary flow rate and eighteen out of the twenty-two nutrients comprising dietary intake; (2) masticatory ability and six out of the twenty-two nutrients comprising dietary intake; and (3) the perceived frequency of ingestion of the thirteen test foods and the dietary intake of thirteen of the nutrients comprising dietary intake. No significant relationships were found among salivary flow rate, masticatory ability, and food preferences. The amount of saliva accumulated in the mouth during the consumption of food may play an important role in food choices and subsequent intake of nutrients by older adults. Masticatory ability may not play as large a role as salivary flow rate in determining the selection and consumption of nutrient-rich foods.