Socio‐economic status and dietray habits in the elederly: results form a large random survey

Socio‐economic status differences in the usual food consumption patterns of a representative sample of 2195 people aged 65 years and over residing in Adelaide, South Australia, were examined. The dietary instrument used was a self‐completed semi‐quantitative food frequency questionnaire which included additional questions concerning food preparation and cooking practices. Subjects were randomly selected from the State Electoral Roll and there was a 77% response rate. Members of higher social class groups reported higher consumption of high fibre and vitamin C rich foods (fruits, fruit juice, vegetables, wholegrain bread) and less frequent intakes of several fried and high fat foods and salt. They were also more likely to report nutritionally favourable vegetable cooking practices.