Dietary studies of older Americans

Dietary surveys assessing the nutrient intake of older Americans have been briefly summarized to make information readily available to researchers, nutrition educators, and other interested persons. Calories and eight nutrients are discussed in terms of studies reporting means below the standards used, or at least one-third of the subjects with inadequate intakes. Food energy and calcium were the nutrients most frequently found to be below standards. The mean caloric intake was below the standards used in all large national surveys and a number of the smaller studies. Calcium was deficient in many of the studies, with more women likely to have an inadequate intake than men. Protein and niacin were the nutrients most often found to be sufficient. The mean intake of protein was adequate in all reviewed studies, with the exception of the Ten-State Survey, regardless of standard or dietary methodology used to estimate protein consumption. Nevertheless, several studies reported that at least one-third of their subjects fell below the standard used. The mean intake of niacin was inadequate in the Missouri Congregate Meals Program Survey and in two small studies. The Ten-State Nutrition Survey reported at least one-half the females and one-third the males with intakes less than 6.6 mg/1000 kcal.