The nutritional status of the elderly

Data are presented relating to the nutritional status of over 1500 elderly subjects seen in three community surveys. There was s decline in weight, arm circumference and skinfold thickness, and to a lesser extent in Quetelet's index (weight + height2), with advancing age. Haemoglobin levels declined with age in one area but not in the others, probably due to differences in nutritional state. Plasma protein and albumin concentrations showed no decline with age and were similar to values reported from younger subjects. Men who ate alone tended to have a poorer vitamin C and thiamine status than men whose meals were cooked or shared by another person, but no such difference was found among women; indeed, women eating alone had significantly higher leucocyte ascorbic acid levels.