Evaluation of the Nutritional Needs of the Elderly Residents in Southwestern Utah

Biochemical composition of blood and urine and estimated nutrient intake were used to evaluate the nutritional status of 187 fasting, ambulatory elderly residents of five southwestern Utah communities in the spring of 1975. Nutritional assessments included 17 biochemical and 23 dietary parameters. Measurements were also taken of height, weight, and blood pressure. Mean energy intakes were lower than the RDA for both men and women (1965 ± 527 Kcal and 1513 ± 371 Kcal, respectively), although a majority of the participants were above ideal weight. Cholesterol values above 250 mg/lOO ml of blood were found in 38 percent of the males and 48 percent of the females. Hypertension affected 58 percent of the population. Mean protein intake (79 ± 20 g for men and 61 ± 16 g for women) and serum total protein levels (7.2 ± 1 g/lOO ml blood for males and 6.7 + 1 g/100 m1 blood for females) were generally high. Hemoglobin values for 93 percent of the women and 82 percent of the men were adequate; none were found deficient. Mean serum iron levels were 109 ± 46 ug/lOO m1 for males and 94 + 36 ug/lOO ml for females. Dietary calcium was below the RDA for 71 percent and 44 percent of the women and men, respectively. Dietary fiber intake for 85 percent of the women and 62 percent of the men was below 4.7 grams. The status of the other nutrients appeared to be adequate