Zinc nutriture of elderly participants in an urban feeding program

Elderly participants in Title VII congregate feeding programs in Indianapolis can be characterized generally as being retired, usually living alone, and often reporting some disease condition, particularly arthritis, hypertension, and/or heart disease. On an average weekday, the nutrient intake of these people, except for zinc, approximated the amounts suggested in the Recommended Dietary Allowances. Fifty-nine per cent of the subjects consumed less than two-thirds of the allowance for zinc. Generally, they consumed over half of their allowances for eight nutrients at the site meal. The nutritional significance of apparent low intakes of dietary zinc among subjects is not clear. Eleven per cent had hair zinc levels below 100 mcg. per gram, but none were below 70 mcg. Therefore, on the basis of hair zinc levels, none could be absolutely calssified as zinc deficient. Although hair zinc levels were not correlated to dietary zinc intake, they were inversely correlated to dietary calcium and fat intake. Taste acuity by these elderly participants was generally less than that reported for young adults. However, women had greater taste acuity for sodium chloride than men. Sixteen per cent of the subjects were particularly insensitive to the taste of sodium chloride. Finally, there was no correlation between taste acuity and dietary zinc intake.