Dietary availability in elderly Portuguese households.
OBJECTIVE
To identify dietary availability and its time trends in elderly Portuguese households.


METHODS
A set of four cross-sectional studies based on the Household Budget Surveys was used. The dietary data were described using the daily per capita availability of food and beverages, energy and selected nutrients (macronutrients, different lipid fractions and simple sugars). Differences between elderly household types and time trends were studied.


METHODS
Portuguese Household Budget Survey data from 1989/1990, 1994/1995, 2000/2001 and 2005/2006.


METHODS
Households with members aged ≥65 years were selected and categorized as solitary elderly female, solitary elderly male or couple (composed of one elderly female and one elderly male).


RESULTS
While cereals, fats/oils, potatoes and sugar/sugar products decreased, an increase occurred in milk/milk products, fruits, bottled water, fruit/vegetable juices and soft drinks (P<0·05). The highest values for foods and beverages were mostly found in couples, while the lowest ones were from solitary males. Exceptions were observed for cereals, eggs, milk/milk products, vegetables, fruits and non-alcoholic beverages, higher in solitary females; and for sugar/sugar products and alcoholic beverages, higher in solitary males. Over time, total energy and carbohydrates decreased while proteins and saturated fatty acids increased (P<0·001). Lipids increased in solitary males and couples (P<0·05). Simple sugars increased in solitary males but decreased in solitary females and couples (P<0·05).


CONCLUSIONS
The increases in fruits and vegetables in solitary females accord with a healthier food pattern, but overall imbalances in the macronutrient profile for all elderly households may imply a decreasing diet quality.
1Faculdade de Ciências da Nutrição e Alimentação da Universidade do Porto (FCNAUP),Rua Dr. Roberto Frias,4200-465 Porto,Portugal.
Débora M
DM
Santos
1Faculdade de Ciências da Nutrição e Alimentação da Universidade do Porto (FCNAUP),Rua Dr. Roberto Frias,4200-465 Porto,Portugal.
Sara S P
SS
Rodrigues
1Faculdade de Ciências da Nutrição e Alimentação da Universidade do Porto (FCNAUP),Rua Dr. Roberto Frias,4200-465 Porto,Portugal.
Bruno M P M
BM
Oliveira
1Faculdade de Ciências da Nutrição e Alimentação da Universidade do Porto (FCNAUP),Rua Dr. Roberto Frias,4200-465 Porto,Portugal.
Maria Daniel V
MD
de Almeida
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends; D004034:Diet Surveys; D002149:Energy Intake; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D005523:Food Supply / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011174:Portugal; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012922:Social Change; D062211:Spatio-Temporal Analysis
Dietary availability; Elderly; Household Budget Survey; Portugal