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 communtity-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 B-6, B-12, 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.