title: Relationship between anthropometric variables and nutrient intake in apparently healthy male elderly individuals: a study from Pakistan.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The elderly population is increasing worldwide, which warrants their nutritional status assessment more important. The present study was undertaken to establish the nutritional status of the least-studied elderly population in Pakistan.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional study with a sample of 526 generally healthy free-living elderly men (mean age: 68.9 yr; range: 50-98 yr) from Peshawar, Pakistan. Anthropometric measurements (weight, height, WC) were measured and BMI and WHR were calculated from these measurements following WHO standard procedures. Dietary intake was assessed by 24-hr dietary recall. Nutrients were calculated from the information on food intake. Nutrients in terms of % of RNI were calculated using WHO data on recommended intakes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Based on BMI, the numbers of obese, overweight and underweight elderly were 13.1, 3.1 and 10.8%, respectively. Age was negatively and significantly correlated with BMI (p = 0.0028). Energy (p = 0.0564) and protein intake (p = 0.0776) tended to decrease with age. There was a significant increase in % BF with age (p = <0.0001). The normal weight elderly had significantly (p < 0.05) higher intake of all nutrients studied, except energy which was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in obese and overweight elderly. Overall, however, the majority of subjects had lower than adequate nutrient intake (67.3 - 100% of recommendation).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Malnutrition is common in apparently healthy elderly Pakistani men. Very few elderly have adequate nutrient intake. Obese and overweight had higher % BF as compared to normal weight elderly. Older age is associated with changes not only in anthropometrics and body composition but also in intake of key nutrients like energy and protein.
authors: Tübingen Aging and Tumour Immunology group, Sektion für Transplantationsimmunologie und Immunohämatologie, University of Tübingen, Zentrum für MedizinischeForschung, Waldhörnlestraße 22, 72072 Tübingen, Germany. iftikharalam@aup.edu.pk
authors: Iftikhar
authors: I
authors: Alam
authors: Anis
authors: A
authors: Larbi
authors: Graham
authors: G
authors: Pawelec
authors: Parvez I
authors: PI
authors: Paracha
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000886:Anthropometry; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D015930:Diet Records; D004435:Eating; D002149:Energy Intake; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009765:Obesity; D010154:Pakistan; D013851:Thinness; D055105:Waist Circumference; D049629:Waist-Hip Ratio