NHANES DATA INDICATES THAT ADEQUATE VITAMIN INTAKE REMAINS A CHALLENGE FOR A LARGE PART OF THE ELDERLY EVEN IN AFFLUENT SOCIETIES

Background and aims: Demographic changes lead to an increased number of elderly, which has a dramatic impact on health care cost. One factor driving up this cost is the widespread malnutrition in elderly, especially in patients, already before entering the health care system. The aim of this paper was to analyze the adequacy of vitamin intakes in older people based on data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003 to 2008. Methods: Vitamin intake for the US elderly aged >70 years was determined based on information collected during NHANES 2003-2008. The proportions of elderly with intakes below the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) and the correlation with household incomes were calculated for each vitamin. Results: >50% US elderly do not reach the EAR for vitamin D, E and K and 35-40% for vitamin C and A, while for the B-vitamins, the proportion ranges from 1-30% and vitamin intakes correlated with household incomes. Conclusions: Even in an affluent country such as the US, a high number of elderly do not get enough vitamins from their diets. Affordable solutions to supply them with necessary vitamins are needed to counter possible adverse effects on health and wellbeing.