Assessment of energy and water-soluble vitamins intake in the elderly under health care, isfahan, iran

Sanaz Jamshidi,1,* Hossein faraji ,2

1. MSc student, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences
2. MSc student, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences

Abstract


Introduction

The b vitamins are essential nutrients to maintain nutritionally healthy body. these water soluble vitamins are critical co-enzymes in different cycles which the deficiency of them is so prevalent among older people. on the other hand the intake of an adequate energy in the elderly contributes to more ability to perform daily activities. this study aims at assessing energy and water-soluble vitamins intake in the elderly under health care.

Methods

Current study was conducted on 152 old people (82 elderly under health care and 70 without any health care) according to the case-control study design. subjects were chosen from elderly care centers. food frequency questionnaire (168 items) was used for dietary intake assessment and n4 software was used for analyze of food content of the diet.

Results

Findings indicated that the intake of energy were significantly higher in the elderly under health care than those without any health care (p=0.038). also, after adjusted variables for energy, intake of vitamins b1 and b9 were higher in case group compare to control group (p=0.032, p=0.012).

Conclusion

Results of this study showed that old people in elderly centers have desirable level of some vitamins and energy which can be due to the high care. a well balanced diet is important to prevent an inadequate intake of micro-nutrients and energy and reduced rate of malnutrition among the elderly.

Keywords

Energy intake, elderly, vitamins