Nutritional intake, socioeconomic conditions, and health status in a large elderly population.

The nutritional intake of a large population of noninstitutionalized older people living in an urban area was studied in relation to socioeconomic conditions (living environment, income, and education) and health status (affective, functional, and physical health) to identify the subgroups at risk for malnutrition. Twenty-four-hour dietary recall was used to determine the percentage of older subjects with dietary intake of specific nutrients below two thirds of the 1980 Recommended Dietary Allowances. Ninety percent of the older people examined showed inadequate intake of thiamine and vitamin B6, and 30% to 40% demonstrated deficiencies of vitamin A, vitamin C, niacin, vitamin B12, calcium, and iron; only 10% of subjects had inadequate intake of protein. Poor nutritional intake was correlated more strongly with socioeconomic conditions, functional level, and affective status than with physical health status.