NUTRITION STATUS OF THE ELDERLY IN ANOGIA, CRETE, GREECE

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. Compared to males. females had particularly low phosphorus, potassium. fiber, iron, vitamin A and riboflavin intake levels, or less favorable micronutrient-intake profiles. Also, anthropometric indices indicated a higher incidence of obesity in women. Finally, females had a significantly higher mean total serum cholesterol level. The nutritional problems observed in our sample as a whole, and in females in particular, involve pronounced departures from the US RDA for several micronutrients.