Nutritional status of an institutionalised elderly group in Segovia (Spain)

The nutritional status of a randomly selected sample of healthy persons, aged 68-91 years, living in an institution of the Spanish Social Services, was evaluated according to the adequation of diet to Recommended Dietary Intakes (DR) and by biochemical measurements. The individual weighing method was used to make the control of food intake covering a week. Mean values obtained suggested that intakes were less than recommended ones for energy, calcium, magnesium, zinc, riboflavin, folic acid and A and D vitamins. Mean intake of protein, iodine, iron, thiamin, niacin, B12 and C vitamins was adequate. For biochemical data most of the individuals present acceptable values, only a few aged show a deficiency status. Serum vitamin A values were low in 13.3% of men and 37.5% of women and serum cholesterol values were high in 8.3% of women.