Nutritional situation of the elderly in the European Union: data of the European Nutrition and Health Report (2004).
BACKGROUND
The European Nutrition and Health Report contains data about the nutritional situation of elderly of 11 EU countries.


METHODS
The assessment of the energy and nutrient intake was performed using different methods: 24-hour recall, (semiquantitative) FFQ, 4/7-day-weighed record, personal interview, HBS.


RESULTS
Compared to adults of the same country, the energy intake of elderly was on average lower. In most EU countries, the mean proportion of protein intake was within the recommended range while the share of carbohydrates was considerable low. The mean fat intake was remarkably high, the dietary fatty acid pattern predominantly imbalanced and the intake of cholesterol exceeded 300 mg/day in most European elderly. The average intake of vitamin D and folic acid was clearly below 10 and 400 microg/day, respectively, in elderly of all countries. Sodium intake was quite high in several participating countries, whereas calcium intake remained below 800 mg/d in all investigated states. The supply of vitamin A/C, thiamine, niacin, cobalamin, and the elements: magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, and manganese could generally be regarded as sufficient. Only in some countries the intake of these nutrients had to be assessed as unsaturated.


CONCLUSIONS
Data analysis showed that the proportions of macronutrient intake of European elderly are not balanced. Apart from vitamin D, calcium, folate, iodine, and sodium the mean intake of micronutrients could be regarded as acceptable.
Fabian
Elisabeth
E
Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Elmadfa
Ibrahim
I
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D015930:Diet Records; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology*; D005060:Europe; D005061:Europe, Eastern; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000172:deficiency; D008875:Middle Aged; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D018977:Micronutrients