Dietary intake and eating patterns of elderly people in Israel: who is at nutritional risk?

To determine dietary intake and eating patterns of older persons in Israel and to identify factors associated with low intake. A cross-sectional study. Community-dwelling participants living in the Beer-Sheva area were interviewed at home, using a 24 h food questionnaire with additional questions regarding health and eating habits. Dietary intake was compared between people aged 65-74 and 75 y and older. A total of 377 people over the age of 65 224 aged 65-74 and 153>75, were randomly selected from the Negev population. Dietary intake of energy, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins E, C and B(1) were significantly lower for people aged 75 and older compared with people aged 65-74. Low energy intake was associated with lower subjective health status for men (P