Comparisons of Characteristics and Nutritional Inadequacies in Indonesian Older Adults Consuming or Refraining from...

Milk consumption in the Indonesian elderly population is among the lowest in the world, and two-thirds of the population are lactose intolerant. This might have an impact on energy and nutrient intakes. However, data on the prevalence of nutrient intake inadequacies in dairy users versus non-dairy users, as well as population characteristics, are lacking. Therefore we obtained data comparing nutritional inadequacies and characteristics of Indonesian older adults consuming or refraining from dairy products.

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021 as a part of the INA LACTASE study, involving 194 community-dwelling older adults in the outpatient geriatric clinic at Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia. We collected data on demographic and clinical characteristics as part of a routinely performed comprehensive geriatric assessment. A structured questionnaire was developed to categorize participants as dairy-or non-dairy users based on habitual dairy intake. Food records were collected to assess nutrient intakes. The prevalence of inadequacies of energy, macronutrients, and a selection of micronutrients (calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12) was calculated by comparing the reported mean intakes to the recommended dietary intakes of the Indonesian population (Indonesian RDA). Prevalence ratios were calculated to measure the association between dairy product consumption and the prevalence of nutrient inadequacies.

We recruited 194 eligible participants. This study found that dairy users had a higher proportion of women, a higher monthly income, but a lower proportion of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidaemia in older adults consuming dairy products. We observed wide variability in energy and nutrient intakes, as well as a high prevalence of inadequacies for all dietary intake parameters, particularly micronutrients. Dairy users had a lower prevalence of micronutrient inadequacies than non-dairy users. The prevalence of vitamin D inadequacies in dairy users versus non-dairy users was 91.6% vs. 99.3% in men and 71.9% vs. 98.0% in women, respectively. Inadequate vitamin B12 intake was found in 60.6% of dairy users vs. 89.4% of non-dairy users in men and 65.5% vs.. 68.4% of women, respectively. The most pronounced difference was found in the prevalence of calcium intake inadequacies in dairy users vs. non-dairy users, which was 64.8% vs. 99.5% in men and 89.9% vs. 99.8% in women. We found statistically significant differences in the prevalence of calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B inadequacies between dairy and non-dairy users.

This study identified that dairy users had a higher monthly income and had a lower proportion of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia. In addition, we discovered a high prevalence of nutrient intakes inadequacies in Indonesian older adults, particularly among non-dairy users. Micronutrient inadequacies are major sources of concern, with statistically significant difference in calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 prevalence of inadequacies.