Ethnic and gender variation in the dietary intake of rural elders

This study describes the dietary intake of 130 rural older adults (≥ 70 years) and assesses the differences in intake attributable to age, gender, and ethnicity (African-, European-, and Native American). Intakes of most nutrients were found to be lower than recommended, and the percentage of calories from fat exceeded recommendations. Age was not significantly associated with any of the nutrients. Men had significantly greater nutrient intakes than women with the exception of the African American men. The low caloric intakes, coupled with relatively high fat intakes, may lead to deficiencies of key nutrients, particularly among African American men.