Nutritional status and energy expenditure in elders of differing socioeconomic level

Background: Income and socioeconomic status can influence nutritional statu s of individuals. Since elders are a more vulnerable group to nutritional d eficiencies, socioeconomic status could have a special relevance on nutriti on of elderly people. Aim: To assess the influence of socioeconomic status on the nutritional status of elders. Material and methods: Elders of both s exes of high socioeconomic level and age and sex matched elders of low soci oeconomic status were studied. Anthropometry, body composition using double beam X ray absorptiometry, resting energy expenditure using an open circui t indirect calorimeter, routine biochemistry, blood levels of folic acid, v itamin B12 and homocysteine were measured in all subjects. Results: Fourtee n female elders of high socioeconomic level, 14 females of low level and 12 males of each level were studied. Mean age of females and males was 71.5 /- 3.7 and 73.9 +/- 4.2 years old respectively. Males and females of high s ocioeconomic status were taller than their counterparts of low status. Fema les of high socioeconomic status had a lower body mass index than their pai rs of low status (26.3 +/- 3.8 and 30.2 +/- 5.6 kg/m(2) respectively p < 0. 02). Men of high economic status had a higher fat mass than their pairs of low level (20.3 +/- 3.5 and 15.1 +/- 5.5 kg respectively, p < 0.005). No di fferences in resting energy expenditure in women of differing socioeconomic level were observed. Men of high level had a higher energy expenditure tha n their counterparts of low level (36.0 +/- 4.9 and 32.8 +/- 2.2 Kcal/kg le an body mass/day respectively, p < 0.02). Low level male elders had higher serum total cholesterol and triglycerides. Folic acid, vitamin B-12 and hom ocysteine levels were within normal limits. Dietary intake showed deficienc ies in calorie, protein and vitamin intake in all subjects. Conclusions: In this group of elders, low socioeconomic level did not produce a significan t impact on nutritional status.