Discriminators of perceived dietary adequacy among the rural elderly

Elderly persons living in rural bypassed areas may be at particular risk for dietary problems. Discriminant analysis was used to determine whether rural persons who perceived their diets as adequate could be distinguished from those who did not, on the basis of economic, psychological, social, and health-related variables. Perceived dietary problems were found to be associated with changes in diet, inadequate income, poor self-rated health, lower morale, less satisfaction with social visits, and race. Findings indicate the importance of health and economic status to perceived dietary adequacy and the interrelatedness of the variables affecting perceptions of diet.