title: Quality of diets consumed by older rural adults.
abstract: Older adults residing in rural communities are at risk for low dietary quality because of a variety of social, physical and environmental circumstances. Minority elders are at additional risk because of poorer health status and lower socioeconomic status. This study evaluated the food group intake of 130 older (>70 years) African American (34%), European American (36%), and Native American (30%) residents of two rural communities in central North Carolina. An interviewer-administered food frequency questionnaire was used to measure dietary intake. Food items were classified into food groups similar to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Guide Pyramid and the National Cancer Institutes 5 A Day for Better Health program. None of the survey participants met minimum intake recommendations and most over-consumed fats, oils, sweets and snacks. African Americans and Native Americans consumed fewer servings of meats,fruits and vegetables, and fats, oils, sweets and snacks than European Americans. African American men consumed the fewest servings of fruits and vegetables of all gender/ethnic groups. Consumption of fats, oils and sweets was greatest among those 85 years and older and was more common among denture users. National strategies to educate the public about the importance of consuming a varied diet based on the recommendations presented in national nutrition education campaigns may not be reaching older adults in rural communities, particularly minority group members.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1063, USA.
authors.forename: Mara Z
authors.initials: MZ
authors.lastname: Vitolins
authors.forename: Sara A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Quandt
authors.forename: Ronny A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: Thomas A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Arcury
authors.forename: L Douglas
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Case
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004032:Diet / Q000592:standards*; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D009657:North Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology; D009752:Nutritional Status; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012423:Rural Health; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data