LONGITUDINAL ASSESSMENT OF THE NUTRITIONAL-STATUS OF ELDERLY VETERANS

Elderly persons are at risk for developing malnutrition due to a numbe r of age-related factors, and conversely, malnutrition can worsen decl ining physiological and psychosocial conditions. The purpose of this s tudy was to determine the nutritional status of an elderly, ambulatory outpatient population, and to evaluate change in nutritional status o ver a 2-year period. The 209 subjects were male veterans, over 65 year s of age without acute disease-related nutritional risk factors. Nutri ent intake was determined through food recalls and food frequency ques tionnaires. Anthropometrics included circumferences and skinfolds. Lab oratory measures included selected minerals and vitamins, as well as h ematological and lipid profiles. Mean intake of nutrients generally me t or exceeded the Recommended Dietary Allowances with the exception of calories, although >25% of subjects consumed inadequate amounts of th iamin, vitamin A, vitamin C, and calcium. Few subjects were found to b e extremely underweight or obese, although skinfolds decreased over th e two years. Mean laboratory measures were within normal range with th e exception of selenium, cholesterol, and low density lipoprotein. Die tary, biochemical, and anthropometric data indicate good nutritional s tatus in general, although dietary vitamin C, vitamin A, and calcium m ay be poor in subgroups; body fat as assessed by skinfolds appeared to decline; and selenium, lipid profiles, and hematological profiles war rant further investigation.