[Quality of the diet of the Spanish population over 80 years non-institutionalized]

Non-institutionalized older adults are a group at high risk of malnutrition. Detect nutritional problems through indicators of overall diet quality is a challenge for health professionals, useful for the planning of nutritional policies.

Determine the overall quality of the diet of the Spanish population over 80 years non-institutionalized for the promotion and enhance the quality of life of the elderly.

People over 80 years from various Spanish regions, participants at the Longitudinal Aging Study from 2011 to 2013 (n = 159) were selected. Healthy Eating Index (HEI), the frequency of food consumption and the degree of adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern was used to assess the quality of the diet.

The population had higher levels of HEI close to those corresponding to a healthy diet. A significant percentage of participants needed changes in the diet being older than 90 years who required a more significant dietary intervention. Most of the population met the recommendations of the Mediterranean Diet but low consumption of vegetables, nuts and wine and a high consumption of meats were observed.

The customary diet of the non-institutionalized Spanish over 80 years has nutritional imbalances that could be corrected by making small changes in the diet pattern. Determine the overall quality of the diet allows planning intervention strategies to promote healthy dietary changes and take actions to maintain an optimal health during aging.