Relationship of socioeconomic status and living arrangements to nutritional intake of the older person.

The number and proportion of older Americans have grown rapidly in recent years, and this trend is expected to continue. Adequate nutritional intake is essential for optimal physical and mental activity. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of socioeconomic status and living arrangements to nutritional intake of persons 55 years of age or older living in South Carolina. Data on 268 subjects who participated in the South Carolina Nutrition Survey, which was based on a true probability sample that represents the state's adult population, were analyzed. Eighty-nine percent of the subjects were found to have poor nutritional intake on the basis of a combination of four index nutrients: iron, vitamin B-6, calcium, and vitamin A. The data did not show a relationship between living arrangements and nutrient intake but affirmed the literature findings that support a positive relationship between low socioeconomic status and inadequate nutritional intake.