Dietary intake and biochemical indices of nutritional status in an elderly population, with estimates of the precision of the 7-d food record.

Nutritional status was assessed in 82 healthy, free-living elderly subjects aged 65-89 y through anthropometric measurements, a 7-d dietary record, and selected serum indicators. The percentage of elderly subjects reporting intakes below two-thirds of recommended intakes was highest for folate, vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, and zinc and varied from 23% to 72%. Of the nutritional indicators only serum zinc concentrations were deficient. The 7-d food record accurately classified individuals by usual or habitual intake for all nutrients except cholesterol. Dietary predictors of nutritional status were explored by using multiple regression. Iron status was predicted by protein and vitamin C intake and protein status, by dietary zinc. Serum concentrations of folate, vitamin C, and zinc were positively correlated to the dietary intake of the respective nutrients. The 7-d record was sufficiently precise to describe the intake of this healthy elderly population and to demonstrate evidence of clear relationships of dietary intake to serum nutritional indicators.