Meal skipping patterns and nutrient intakes of rural southern elderly.

Dietary practices, a 24-hr food recall, self-reported health status, perceived well-being, and socioeconomic data were collected from 2890 rural elders selected from 11 southern states by a stratified randomization method based on income and population. Overall nutrient intakes were low, especially energy and calcium, and 16.3% of respondents consumed fewer than three meals daily. Though meal skippers snacked more frequently, their nutrient intakes were significantly lower than those of three-meal eaters. Meal skippers were more likely to be smokers, younger elders, females, those who ate alone and those with less education, higher BMI, and lower self-rated quality of well-being, especially economic and social well-being.