FR 6-8

03/07

Abstract

Older Adults at High Risk for Poor Nutrition

Prepared by: Barbara Brown, Ph.D., R.D./L.D.

Food Specialist

308 HES/NSCI

Oklahoma State University

Stillwater, OK 74078-6141

(405) 744-6824

Vitolins, M.Z., Tooze, J.A., Golden, S.L., Arcury, T.A., Bell, R.A., Davis, C., Devellis, R.F., and Quandt, S.A. (2007) Older Adults in the rural south are not meeting healthful eating guidelines. Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 107(2): 265.

Implications for Cooperative Extension. This study was of interest because the population mirrors many parts of Oklahoma with high populations of rural elderly and included Native Americans, African Americans and whites. As food and nutrition programming is developed for this population consideration there should be a focus on eating a variety of foods especially from the fruit, vegetable, whole grains and dairy products groups. There should also be information provided on cooking methods which reduce the intake of fats and added sugar while increasing nutrient dense foods from other groups. There should not be an emphasis on lowering energy intake. It would be valuable to partner with other interested organizations and/or agencies to help identify barriers and find solutions.

One of the greatest worries of the elderly is that they will become dependent on others and no longer be able to live independently. Poor nutrition resulting in unintentional weight loss and a decline in lean body mass has been associated with this group. A variety of mental, social and health conditions which may affect the elderly can impact their nutritional health, and thus their independence. This can be compounded for those in rural areas due to environmental barriers (distance to food stores, transportation), low income, and low educational attainment. This study looked at whether the subjects had met dietary recommendations in the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans by using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI). The HEI was developed to evaluate in a comprehensive approach whether an individual’s diet reflected recommendations in the Dietary Guidelines.

Subjects in the study were nearly evenly divided between female (63) and male (59). Ages ranged from 65 to 93 years. The group was composed of three ethnic groups, one-third each Native American, African American and white. All had a high school education or less and all were low income.

Researchers found that the majority of study participants did not meet the recommended nutrition guidelines. Almost 99 percent (98.4%) ate diets that were poor or needed improvement. Only one percent had good diets. Subjects did not eat the minimum servings recommended in the 2000 version of the Food Guide Pyramid for grains, fruits, vegetables, or dairy products. After the release of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans in 2005 researchers evaluated whether the participants met some of those guidelines. In the 2005 recommendations grains are divided into two subgroups, whole and refined, with the suggestion that at least half of servings should come from the whole grain subgroup. On average participants ate less than one tenth of a serving of whole grains. They also ate few servings of dark-green or deep-yellow vegetables. Participants had a high intake of lower nutrient dense foods, primarily in from fats, snacks and added sugars. There was little difference in the results when age, ethnicity, income, or education were examined. Men who had less than an eighth grade education had poorer HEI scores.