Nutritional knowledge, attitudes, and dietary practices of the elderly

The nutritional knowledge and attitudes toward food and nutrition of sixty-four non-institutionalized elderly persons were surveyed. Findings were then examined in relation to these individuals' actual dietary behavior, measured as nutrient intakes and the purchase of health foods and vitamin/mineral supplements. On the basis of data from three-day food records per participant from three groups of elderly, it was found that, with the exception of energy and calcium intakes, mean nutrient intakes were satisfactory. Those who ate with others and who consumed more snacks had the most satisfactory diets. Socioeconomic status and nutritional knowledge were the key independent variables. A pattern of attitudes and beliefs, such as a belief that nutrition is important, a tendency to regard food and supplements as medicine, a belief in taking vitamin/mineral supplements, and weight-reducing misconceptions, acted as intervening variables to mediate the link between the indepedent variables and the dependent variables (dietary practices).