Vitamin and mineral intakes in elderly.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the dietary intake of vitamins and minerals in elderly Portuguese aged 81-86 years.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study in elderly born 1913-1918, who are participants of the SENECA study.


METHODS
Vila Franca de Xira, small town located near Lisbon.


METHODS
Using standardized methodology data have been collected from 81 elderly subjects, 41 men and 40 women,who are the survivors of the participants in the SENECA baseline study performed in 1988/89. Dietary intake data were collected using a 24-hour dietary recall interview.


CONCLUSIONS
The nutrient densities were higher than the values observed in the follow up study in 1993, except for vitamin A in both sexes and iron in women, and they were lower than "Nordisk Recommended Daily Nutrient Densities" only for vitamin A and calcium in both sexes and iron in women. The percentage of elderly below the Lowest European Recommended Dietary Intake (LRDI) increased, in relation to the 1993 follow up of SENECA study, for the micronutrients in men and in women, except for vitamins B1 and B6 in women. The highest percentage of subjects with micronutrient intakes below LRDI was detected for vitamin A, 78% in men and 73% in women. Regarding calcium the percentage of subjects below LRDI was 39% in men, and 45% in women, and for iron was 49% in men and 73% in women.


CONCLUSIONS
An increased risk of micronutrient deficiencies was detected.
Martins
I
I
Nutrition Research Centre, National Institute of Health, Avenida Padre Cruz, Lisbon 1649- 016, Portugal.
Dantas
A
A
Guiomar
S
S
Amorim Cruz
J A
JA
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015930:Diet Records; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008903:Minerals / Q000032:analysis*; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D011174:Portugal; D012737:Sex Factors; D014815:Vitamins / Q000032:analysis*
D004044:Dietary Proteins; D008903:Minerals; D014815:Vitamins