Intake of vitamins and minerals. Euronut SENECA investigators

In 18 towns of 12 European countries, 1217 men and 1241 women born between 1913 and 1918 participated in a dietary survey (modified dietary history). Each country used its own nutrient data bank for the conversion of food intake data into vitamin and mineral intakes. Information on the use of nutrient supplements was collected through a questionnaire answered by the participants. Enormous variability in nutrient dietary intake was observed between and even within the different sites. The dietary intake of vitamin A was higher in northern towns and, conversely, the intake of beta-carotene and vitamin C was lower. A considerable percentage of the elderly in some towns had intakes of some nutrients below the lowest European recommended daily intakes (RDIs) and so might be at risk of vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Women in almost all towns had diets of higher nutrient density than men, except for iron. There was great variability in supplementation practices between different towns, even within a country. In northern towns, supplements were used much more frequently than in the other sites, but their use was not nutrition-oriented. Sometimes vitamin supplements were taken in large quantities, with risk of toxicity. Differences between the sexes in supplementation practices were not consistent.