A dietary survey of older people in Edinburgh

1. Dietary histories covering 1 week were obtained from 212 men and 263 women, aged 62--90 years, who formed a random sample of the older people living in a defined area of Edinburgh. The histories were validated by 2 d weighed-diet records for 219 of the subjects. 2. Nutrient intakes are given as mean values and standard deviations, and as percentage distributions of intake relative to the recommended intakes of nutrients. Intakes are also related to factors which might affect diet adversely. 3. Mean values obtained suggested that intakes were less than recommended intakes for more nutrients for women than for men, particularly values for energy and vitamin D. Values for percentage distributions indicated that a substantial proportion of all subjects had low intakes of ascorbic acid and vitamin D, that the energy intake of many women was low and that for most nutrients a greater proportion of men than of women had the recommended intake. Factors assocIATED With significant proportions of subjects with less than the recommended intakes were mental illness in women and deafness and severe dyspnoea in men. 4. Possible action to improve the diet of the elderly is discussed.