[A nutritional survey of 38 single elderly persons with free choice of food]

The nutritional habits of 38 randomly selected single aged people with free choice of food have been investigated by the precise weighing method. Blood serum levels of the vitamins A, C, and E and of beta-carotene and biotin were analyzed, and the nutritional status with respect to the vitamins B1, B2, and B6 was examined by the transketolase-test, the glutathione-reductase-test, and the glutamic-acid-oxalo-acetic-transaminase-test. In relation to the desirable daily supply of nutrients and other dietary components the food was deficient in the vitamins B1, and B6 and in magnesium. For women an additional calcium-deficiency was demonstrated. The dietary fat content, however, was found to be high (44% of total calorie intake). The results of the blood analyses suggest an insufficient dietary supply of vitamin B1, partly also of the vitamins B6 and C. The total caloric intake was found to be rather low with respect to the age.