DIETARY SURVEY OF AN ELDERLY NEW-ZEALAND POPULATION

Mean daily energy and nutrient intakes were estimated in a community based sample of 712 people aged 70 years and over in Mosgiel, New Zealand, by means of a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. The study population included all those people in this age group who were registered with the Mosgiel Health Center. Eighty five per cent agreed to participate in the dietary part of a detailed multidisciplinary study of nutrition and health in old age. Mean intakes of most nutrients were above the recommended levels; the only exceptions were low mean intakes of zinc and copper, and, among women only, a low mean calcium intake. The proportion of people with intakes below two thirds of the recommended levels was highest for zinc, copper, calcium and magnesium. In several ways the food choices of women appeared to be healthier than those of men; however, in terms of nutrient intakes, the main effect of this was a higher nutrient density in women for a small number of micronutrients.