Dietary intake of homebound elderly recipients and nonrecipients of home-delivered meals

Extract: Dietary intakes of 54 home-bound elderly recipients and nonrecipients of home-delivered meals were examined, utilizing the 24-hour recall. Nonrecipients had significantly greater intakes of carbohydrate, thiamin, and iron than recipients. More than 50 per cent of all subjects consumed less than the RDA for vitamin A, riboflavin, calcium, phosphorus, and iron. Calcium intake was below the RDA for 82 per cent of subjects. Mean fat and saturated fat intake exceeded recommendations for both recipients and nonrecipients. Provision of nutrition services to homebound elderly appears to be lagging behind need.(author).