title: Marginal nutritional status among institutionalized elderly women as compared to those living more independently (Dutch Nutrition Surveillance System).
abstract: The nutritional status (assessed by anthropometric indices, and biochemical and hematological variables in blood) of three groups of elderly women (aged > or = 65 years) was evaluated within the framework of the Dutch Nutrition Surveillance System. The groups were composed of women living in a nursing home (n = 51), women living in service flats and receiving their dinners from the nursing home kitchen (n = 29), and women living independently (n = 52). Mean blood levels of folate, pyridoxal 5'-phosphate, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, alpha-tocopherol, vitamin C, albumin, selenium and total cholesterol were significantly (p < 0.05) lower among nursing home women. Among these women a biochemical deficiency was frequently found for 25-hydroxyvitamin D (73%), pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (57%), vitamin C (38%), selenium (30%) and folate (28%). These nutritional risks were largely independent of each other. Since folate and pyridoxal 5'-phosphate were associated with several clinicochemical indicators, health status may be an important determining factor for this unfavorable situation. Low 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations were associated with limited exposure to ultraviolet radiation and nonusage of vitamin D supplements. We conclude that dietary intake variables are not the only determinants of a marginal nutritional status among nursing home women. Use of foods with a high nutrient density should be encouraged, whereas other preventive measures are needed to improve vitamin D status.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Nutrition, TNO Toxicology and Nutrition Institute, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Löwik
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: van den Berg
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schrijver
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Odink
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wedel
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: van Houten
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001206:Ascorbic Acid Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology; D002112:Calcifediol / Q000172:deficiency; D005260:Female; D005494:Folic Acid Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology; D006304:Health Status; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D009426:Netherlands; D009735:Nursing Homes; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011732:Pyridoxal Phosphate / Q000172:deficiency; D012643:Selenium / Q000172:deficiency; D014811:Vitamin E Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D011732:Pyridoxal Phosphate; D012643:Selenium; D002112:Calcifediol