title: Low protein and micronutrient intakes in heterogeneous older population samples.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Malnutrition is associated with comorbidities and functional decline among older people. Less is known about nutrient intakes across heterogeneous older populations.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We examined nutritional status and nutrient intakes in different samples of older people representing broad spectrum of healthy and frail populations. We evaluated adequacy of their energy, protein and micronutrient intakes in comparison to recommendations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study combined five datasets: home-dwelling older people participating in nutrition education and cooking classes (NC) [n=54], participants from Helsinki Businessmen Study [n=68], home-dwelling people with Alzheimer disease (AD) [n=99] and their spousal caregivers (n=97), participants from Porvoo Sarcopenia and Nutrition Trial (n=208), and residents of Helsinki assisted living facilities (ALF) [n=374]. Nutritional status was assessed using Mini Nutritional Assessment and nutrient intakes retrieved from 1 to 3 day food records.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Those suffering most from mobility limitation and cognitive decline had the poorest nutritional status (p<0.001; adjusted for age, sex, comorbidities). However, low intakes of energy, protein, and micronutrients were observed in high proportion in all groups, inadequate intakes of vitamins D, E, folate, and thiamine being most common. Protein intakes did not differ between the groups, but 77% of all participants had lower than recommended protein intake. In general, the NC group had highest micronutrient intakes and the ALF group the lowest. However, AD females had the lowest energy, protein, and vitamin C intakes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study provides a detailed picture of risks related to nutrient intakes in various groups of older people. These findings could be used in planning tailored nutrition interventions.
authors: University of Helsinki, Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, and Helsinki University Central Hospital, Unit of Primary Health Care, Finland. Electronic address: satu.jyvakorpi@gery.fi.
authors: S K
authors: SK
authors: Jyväkorpi
authors: University of Helsinki, Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, and Helsinki University Central Hospital, Unit of Primary Health Care, Finland. Electronic address: kaisu.pitkala@helsinki.fi.
authors: K H
authors: KH
authors: Pitkälä
authors: University of Helsinki, Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, and Helsinki University Central Hospital, Unit of Primary Health Care, Finland. Electronic address: taija.puranen@helsinki.fi.
authors: T M
authors: TM
authors: Puranen
authors: University of Helsinki, Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, and Helsinki University Central Hospital, Unit of Primary Health Care, Finland. Electronic address: mikko.bjorkman@helsinki.fi.
authors: M P
authors: MP
authors: Björkman
authors: University of Helsinki, Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, and Helsinki University Central Hospital, Unit of Primary Health Care, Finland. Electronic address: hannu.kautiainen@medcare.fi.
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Kautiainen
authors: University of Helsinki, Department of Medicine, Geriatric Clinic, Helsinki University Central Hospital, and University of Oulu, Institute of Health Sciences/Geriatrics, and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland. Electronic address: timo.strandberg@oulu.fi.
authors: T E
authors: TE
authors: Strandberg
authors: University of Helsinki, Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, and Helsinki University Central Hospital, Unit of Primary Health Care, Finland; City of Helsinki, Department of Social Services and Health Care, Developmental and Operational Support, Finland. Electronic address: helena.soini@dlc.fi.
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Soini
authors: University of Helsinki, Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, and Helsinki University Central Hospital, Unit of Primary Health Care, Finland. Electronic address: merja.suominen@gery.fi.
authors: M H
authors: MH
authors: Suominen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D002149:Energy Intake; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D005492:Folic Acid; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence
chemical_list: D018977:Micronutrients; D005492:Folic Acid
keywords: Heterogeneous older populations; Malnutrition; Micronutrient intake; Older people; Protein intake