Eight-year trends in food, energy and macronutrient intake in a sample of elderly German subjects.

Time trends in the food and the corresponding energy and macronutrient intake between 1994 and 2002 are investigated as part of the longitudinal study on nutrition and health status in an ageing population in Giessen, Germany (GISELA study). The dietary intake is assessed via a 3 d estimated dietary record especially developed and validated for this study. A total of 2135 records from 532 subjects, aged 60 years and over, are analysed separately according to sex and age groups (born 1904-1928 and born 1929-1942). Results show that the food, energy and macronutrient intake of the GISELA subjects stayed fairly stable over the study period. However, some significant changes in the consumption pattern are observed, predominantly in the women and the younger age groups, which correspond to the national trends in Germany. Most obvious changes observed among the GISELA subjects are the increased intake of water (between +21.05 and +41.61 ml/d per year) and vegetables (between +2.94 and +3.38 g/d per year) and a reduced consumption of coffee and tea (between -10.65 and -15.99 ml/d per year) as well as of meat (between -1.79 and -2.56 g/d per year). The healthier food choices and the ability to change food habits could be related to the relatively high health-awareness of the GISELA subjects compared to the federal average of equivalent age groups.