Dietary habits in the eighth decade of life

Of a representative sample of 231 subjects (mean age 74.6 years) 89 women and 94 men were interviewed. The dietary history method was used and the calculated intake compared with Swedish recommendations (RDA-S). Mean intakes of energy and nutrients, except for vitamin D among women, were above the RDA-S. Intake of fat was above the RDA-S, and the proportion of energy intake from fat increased with age. Those who had three cooked meals per day had a higher nutrient density than those who ate one or two such meals. Although the RDA-S were the same for men and women, women had lower mean intakes and a higher proportion of subjects below the RDA-S for calcium, iron and vitamins C and D. More women had intakes of calcium and vitamin D simultaneously below the RDA-S. In most aspects the mean dietary intake was satisfactory according to current standards, but the RDA-S for calcium seems low. Fat intake was too extensive for both sexes and many women stood in risk of undernutrition.