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WenYen Juan, PhD, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, 3101 Park Center Drive, room 1034, Alexandria, VA 22302, 703-605-4437, wenyen.juan@cnpp.usda.gov
Dietary status can be evaluated based on Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) recommendations and the Healthy Eating Index (HEI). The HEI is an overall measure of dietary quality, which is comprised of 10 dietary components; the sum of which reflects the degree of compliance with dietary guidance. The HEI can be thought as having three dimensions: dietary adequacy (sum of the HEI food guide pyramid component scores), dietary moderation (sum of the HEI total fat, saturated fat, sodium and cholesterol component scores), and variety (variety score). This study examined the associations between nutrient adequacy (fiber, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin E, calcium, linoleic acid, and alpha-linolenic acid) and dietary adequacy, moderation, and variety in elderly men and women aged 65 or older while controlling for energy intake. Weighted data are analyzed using SAS and SUDAAN from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2000. Results showed that among elderly men (n=570) and women (n=567), most people did not meet the DRI recommendations for all nutrients, except vitamin B12 (p<0.05). Increased dietary moderation and adequacy scores increased the likelihood of meeting the recommendations for fiber and vitamin C. Men with increased dietary variety scores were more likely to meet linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid recommendations, whereas women with decreased dietary variety scores were more likely to meet vitamin B12, vitamin C, and calcium recommendations (p<0.05). Findings suggested that, controlling for energy intake, dietary adequacy, moderation, and variety measurements may not independently provide consistent dietary assessment in terms of evaluating elderly nutrition status.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Dietary Assessment, Elderly
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.