Martins, A. Dantas, S. Guiomar, J.A. Amorim Cruz

Nutrition Research Centre, National Institute of Health, Avenida Padre Cruz , Lisbon 1649- 016, Portugal. Fax - 351 21 7590441. E-mail:cen.csan@insa.min-saude.pt

Objective: To assess the dietary intake of vitamins and minerals in elderly Portuguese aged 81-86 years. Design: Cross-sectional study in elderly born 1913-1918, who are participants of the SENECA study. Setting: Vila Franca de Xira, small town located near Lisbon. Subjects and Methods: Using standardized methodology data have been collected from 81 elderly subjects, 41 men and 40 women,who are the survivors of the participants in the SENECA baseline study performed in 1988/89. Dietary intake data were collected using a 24-hour dietary recall interview. Results and discussion: The nutrient densities were higher than the values observed in the follow up study in 1993, except for vitamin A in both sexes and iron in women, and they were lower than "Nordisk Recommended Daily Nutrient Densities" only for vitamin A and calcium in both sexes and iron in women. The percentage of elderly below the Lowest European Recommended Dietary Intake (LRDI) increased, in relation to the 1993 follow up of SENECA study, for the micronutrients in men and in women, except for vitamins B1 and B6 in women. The highest percentage of subjects with micronutrient intakes below LRDI was detected for vitamin A, 78% in men and 73% in women. Regarding calcium the percentage of subjects below LRDI was 39% in men, and 45% in women, and for iron was 49% in men and 73% in women. Conclusion: An increased risk of micronutrient deficiencies was detected.

Keywords: elderly, Portugal, vitamin intake, mineral intake, 24-hour dietary recall