Abstract
Background
An increasing number of people over 60 years of age living world-wide undertake appropriate actions in order to identify factors to optimize their health.
Objective
The study was aimed at evaluating nutritional patterns, biochemical parameters (TC, HDL, LDL, TG, glucose) and anthropometric parameters (BMI, waist circumference, arm circumference, triceps skinfold thickness) of 220 subjects over 60 years of age originating from an urban environment.
Methods
Nutritional patterns were evaluated by means of a 24-h dietary recall, whereas nutritional status of the subjects was assessed based on anthropometric parameters and selected biochemical assays linked with lipid and carbohydrate metabolism.
Results
The study demonstrated a low energy value of food rations of the analyzed seniors from Wrocław, an improper proportion of energy supply from particular nutrients: SFA (saturated fatty acid) — 14% and carbohydrates — 52%, as well as low intake of fruits and vegetables, cereal products and dietary fibre, vitamins and minerals. 70% of the women and in 50% of the men were characterized by a high concentration of total cholesterol in blood serum. In turn, ca. 15% of the subjects were shown to have an elevated concentration of glucose. A statistically significant difference was demonstrated between waist circumference of the women and men examined (91.0±11.8 vs. 100.4±10.5; p<0.05) as well as between their glucose concentration in blood (respectively: 88.0±28.4 vs. 103.5± 24.3; p<0.05). In 25 women, skinfold thickness was over 25 mm and mean BMI reached 30. In 40 seniors, skinfold thickness exceeded 11 mm, whereas BMI was lower and reached 25.
Conclusion
In most of the examined seniors analyses demonstrated deficient nutritional patterns and disturbed processes of lipid metabolism. The study indicates the need for further extensive investigations of factors that determine the health status of the seniors.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Solomons NW (2000) Demographic and nutritional trend among the elderly in developed and developing regions. Eur. J. Clin. Nutr. 54:2–14.
Demographic Yearbook of Poland, Estimation of population by age. Warsaw 2007
Volkert D (2005) Nutrition and lifestyle of elderly in Europe. J. Public. Health. 13:56–61.
Pirlich M (2001) Nutrition in the elderly. Best Prac. Res. Clin. Gastroenter. 15:869–884.
Salomons NW (1992) Nutrition and Aging: Potentials and Problems for Reserch in Developing Countries. Nutr.Rev. 50:224–229.
WHO (2002) Reducing Risk, Promoting Healthy Life, World Health Report
WHO (2003) Diet, nutrition and the prevention of chronic diseases. World Health Report, Geneva
WHO (1999) Global movement for active ageing. Ageing and Health Programme
World Cancer research Found/ American Institute for Cancer Research (2007) Food, Nutrition, physical Activity, and the Prevention of Cancer: a Global Perspective. Washington DC: AICR
Kunachowicz H, Nadolna I, Przygoda B, Iwanow K (2005) Food composition tables. PZWL Warsaw
Ziemia ski, Bułhak-Jahymczyk B, Budzy ska-Topolowska J, Panczenko-Kresowska B, Wartanowicz M (1994) Normy ywienia dla ludno ci w Polsce. ywienie Człowieka i Metabolizm. 21: 303–338.
National Cholesterol Education Program (2001) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adults Treatment Panel III). JAMA 285: 2486–2497.
Wyka J, Biernat J (2008) Nutritional knowledge and eating habits of elderly women from big-city environment. New Med. 1:20–24.
Vaquero MP, Sanchez-Muniz FJ, Carbajal A (2004) Mineral and vitamin status in elderly persons from Northwest Spain Consuming an Atlantic variant of the Mediterranean diet. Ann. Nutr. Metab. 48:125–133.
Gonzalez S, Huerta JM, Fernandez S, Patterson AM (2008) Differences in overall mortality in elderly may be explained by diet. Gerontology. 54: 232–237.
Kostka T, Bogus K (2007) Independent contribution of overweight/obesity and physical inactivity to lower health-related quality of life in community-dwelling older subject. Z Gerontol. Geriat. 40:43–51.
Szeklicki R, St plewski R, Osi ska W (2006) Relations between habitual physical activity and BMI, WHR and body composition in elderly men. Hum. Movement. 7: 31–35.
Intorre F, Maiani G, Cuzzolaro M, Simpson EA (2007) Descriptive data on lifestyle, anthropometric status and mental health in Italian elderly people. J. Nutr. Health Aging. 11: 165–174.
Visser M, Launer L, Deurenberg P, Deeg DJH (1997) Total and sports activity in older men and women: relation with body fat distribution. Am. J. Epidem. 145: 752–761.
Landi F, Russo A, Pahor M, Capoluongo E (2008) Serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and mortality in frail, community — living elderly. Gerontology. 54:71–78.
Zuliani G, Romagnoni F, Bollini C, Leoci V (1999) Low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol are a marker of disability In the elderly. Gerontology. 45: 317–322.
Klimis D, Gnardellis C, Trichopoulou A (2000) Gender differences in blood lipids in Greek island population The EPIC Study. Nutr. Res. 20:35–45.
Haralampos JM, Elisaf M S, Mikhailidis DP (2008) Lipid abnormalities and cardiovascular risk in the elderly. Curr. Med. Res. Opin. 24: 653–657.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wyka, J., Biernat, J. & Kiedik, D. Nutritional determination of the health status in polish elderly people from an urban environment. J Nutr Health Aging 14, 67–71 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-010-0012-2
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-010-0012-2