Nutrition of the Elderly at Home I. Intakes of Energy, Protein, Carbohydrates and Fat

In a study of the nutrition of 77 men and 187 women over the age of 65 living at home, a 7-day dietary record was used to determine intakes of energy, protein, carbohydrate, sucrose and fat. Mean intakes were less in women than men, and (except for sucrose) fell slightly with age. These differences were abolished by expressing intakes on the basis of lean body mass. There was wide variation around each mean value. Mean intakes of energy were 2300 kcal/day (9.7 MJ/day) in men, and 1750 kcal/day (7.3 MJ/day) in women. The principal sources of energy were biscuits and cakes, bread, milk, meat, and fats and oils. Men derived more of their energy from bread, and women from biscuits and cakes. Mean protein intakes were 78 g/day in men, and 60 g/day in women, protein providing 14–15 per cent of energy intake. Animal protein intake averaged 54 g/day in men and 43 g/day in women. The principal sources of protein were meat, milk, bread, and biscuits and cakes. Mean carbohydrate intakes were 265 g/day in men and 194 g/day in women. Sucrose intake averaged 76 g/day and 54 g/day, and fat intakes 107 g/day and 86 g/day, respectively. Men derived significantly more of their fat intake from margarine, and less from butter, than did women. Of 31 subjects who fulfilled one or more criteria of a low energy or protein intake, 15 were substantially overweight, but a diagnosis of malnutrition could possibly have been made in three or four of the remainder (2 per cent of the total sample). The findings are discussed in the light of the national survey reported by the Panel on Nutrition of the Elderly (1972).