Determinants of Nutrient Intake of the Elderly

We examine the impact of a wide variety of factors on nutrient intake of a nationally representative sample of persons aged 55 and older. We studied individual food consumption data for a sample of 5615 persons obtained over a three-day period in the basic sample of the Nationwide Food Consumption Survey. We used multivariate estimation techniques to examine effects of source of income, program participation, and demographic and personal characteristics. Federal programs, particularly those for the elderly, appear significantly to improve nutrient intake and diet quality. Increases in away-from-home con-sumption are associated with significantly less calcium and phosphorous intakes. Other demographic and socioeconomic factors have important and statistically significant effects. The elderly-an increasing share of the population-are especially vulnerable to nutritional insufficiency. A conservative estimate places 10 % at risk of nutrition deficits (Posner, 1979). Calcium is most consistently inadequate, particularly among women (O’Hanlon & AUTHOR’S NOTE: This research is funded under a cooperative agreement between th