FOOD-INTAKE AND BIOCHEMICAL INDICATORS - OVERALL NUTRITION AND METABOLIC STATUS IN A GROUP OF FREE-LIVING ELDERLY IN VENEZUELA

To evaluate the quality of life, and to establish local reference stan dards, the nutritional and metabolic status were assessed in two-hundr ed-eleven noninstitutionalized adults divided in two groups: the exper imental (greater than or equal to 60 years old), and the control (<60 years old). The anthropometric nutritional status was assessed with th e Quetelet Index with no significant differences between the age group s. The 24-hour recall method in the dietetic evaluation showed a high lipid and protein diet, which is characteristic of the region, The die t is deficient in energy, carbohydrates, fiber, copper, and zinc. Bioc hemical determinations of zinc, copper, total protein, albumin, alkali ne phosphatase, triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL- cholesterol, glucose, and insulin, were performed on 12-hours fasting subjects without significant (p<0,05) age-based differences, except al bumin levels, which reflects overall protein status. On the other hand , albumin, trygliceride, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-chole sterol, and copper levels showed sex-based and age-sex-based significa nt differences (p<0,05). Similar studies should be made on institution alized or free-living individuals, from different socioeconomic levels and a nutritional status assessed by anthropometric measures, body co mposition, and food intake.