Diet and drug consumption in a group of elderly residing in rural Newfoundland

Dietary intakes and drug consumption were recorded for 24 seniors in a Newfoundland outport. Food frequency questionnaires suggested that the food groups consumed least adequately by the seniors were grain products and meat and alternatives: 71% did not consume the recommended daily minimum intake of grain products and 66.7% did not meet the minimum intake recommended for meat and alternatives. Inadequate consumption of milk products and vegetables and fruit was reported by 33.3% and 29.2% of the respondents respectively. All respondents used at least one medication on a regular basis. When the regular usage of both prescription and nonprescription drugs was considered, drug consumption ranged from one to eight. Antihypertensives and antianginals had the highest reported usage. This study suggests that many seniors simultaneously experience two factors with potentially negative effects on their nutritional status--high drug usage and poor dietary intake.