Nutritional status of elderly participants in a congregate meals program

Thirty volunteers, aged 58-83, from a congregate meals program for the elderly participated in a program to evaluate nutritional status. Anthropometric measurements, dietary recall, use of nutritional supplements and biochemical analysis of fasting blood samples provided the information. A nutrient analysis computer program reported amounts and percentages of RDAs for vitamins, minerals, fat, carbohydrate, protein, and kilocalories. The diets consumed provided at least 70% of RDAs in 93% of the cases; the remaining 7% were rated poor, but none supplied less than 54% of dietary needs. Supplements were used by 27%. The incidence of obesity was unusually high, 42% of the women and 78% of the men being over 119% of ideal body weight.