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Nutrient intake among elderly in southern Peninsular Malaysia
A R Suriah1, M Zainorni, S Shafawi
1Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Faculty of Life Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor.
Malaysian Journal of Nutrition
|June 14, 2012
Summary
Elderly Malaysians consume insufficient energy and key nutrients like vitamin A and calcium, declining with age. This low intake poses significant health risks, including osteoporosis.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Nutritional Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Adequate nutrition is crucial for elderly health and well-being.
- Malnutrition in older adults is a growing public health concern, particularly in developing nations.
- Understanding dietary patterns in Malaysian elderly is vital for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the macro and micronutrient intake of free-living elderly in Malaysia.
- To identify potential nutrient deficiencies and their correlation with age.
- To compare dietary intake against Malaysian Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA).
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 344 elderly individuals (60-93 years) across three Malaysian states.
- Dietary assessment using 24-hour recalls over three consecutive days.
- Nutrient intake analysis categorized by age cohorts and compared to Malaysian RDA.
Main Results:
- Mean energy intake for both sexes was below Malaysian RDA and decreased with advancing age.
- Over 50% of elderly consumed less than 2/3 RDA for Vitamin A, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and calcium.
- Significantly lower carbohydrate intake was observed in the 80+ age group; calcium intake was critically low.
Conclusions:
- Malaysian elderly exhibit inadequate energy and nutrient intake, particularly in older age groups.
- Low consumption of essential micronutrients like calcium poses a risk for conditions such as osteoporosis.
- Urgent public health strategies are needed to address malnutrition in this vulnerable population.
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