B. Herbert

Underreporting of Energy Intake in an Elderly German Population

OBJECTIVES Within the longitudinal study on nutrition and health status in an aging population in Giessen, Germany (GISELA), the underreporters of energy intake (EI) were identified and characterized. METHODS EI was assessed in 238 female and 105 male participants of the GISELA study (age range = 60-89 y) by means of a 3-day estimated dietary record developed especially for this study. Resting metabolic rate (RMR) was measured by indirect calorimetry after an overnight fast. EI was expressed as a multiple of RMR and subjects with an EI:RMR ratio below 1.073 were classified as underreporters. RESULTS Mean EI:RMR was 1.62 +/- 0.46 in females and 1.53 +/- 0.46 in males; 7.6% of the females and 16.2% of the males were identified as underreporters. They showed lower levels of education and significantly greater body weight, body mass index, and fat mass than the adequate reporters. Further, underreporters stated more often than adequate reporters that they want to lose weight. Except for beta-carotene in males, reported nutrient intakes were significantly lower in underreporters than in adequate reporters. Carbohydrate and fat intake in both sexes, protein intake in females calculated as a percentage of EI, and vitamin and mineral densities were not affected by underreporting. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that underreporting of EI is related to a low educational level and greater body weight, body mass index, and fat mass and affects all nutrients. These findings should be considered when the association between nutrition and health status is investigated in the elderly.

Versorgungszustand von Teilnehmern der Gießener Seniorenlangzeitstudie (GISELA) mit antioxidativ wirksamen Vitaminen und Selen

Zusammenfassung Im Rahmen der Gießener Seniorenlangzeitstudie (GISELA) wurden Basiswerte zum Antioxidanzienstatus von 85 Gießener Senioren erhoben, die mindestens 60 Jahre alt sind, sich selbst versorgen, nicht rauchen und keine Vitamin- oder Mineralstoffpräparate einnehmen. Hierzu wurden die Nährstoffzufuhr mittels eines speziell für diese Studie entwickelten und validierten 3-Tage-Schätzprotokolls erfaßt und die Konzentrationen von Vitamin C, Vitamin E, β-Carotin und Selen im Blutplasma der Senioren bestimmt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, daß die untersuchten Senioren im Mittel durch ihre Ernährung eine gute Versorgung mit den antioxidativ wirksamen Nährstoffen erreichen. Obwohl bei der Nährstoffzufuhr keine Unterschiede zwischen den Geschlechtern festgestellt wurden, wiesen die Frauen im Vergleich zu den Männern bei allen untersuchten Substanzen signifikant höhere Plasmaspiegel auf.Summary Within the longitudinal study on nutrition and health status in an aging population of Giessen, Germany, baseline measurements with regard to antioxidant status were obtained in 85 free living elderly persons. The subjects were at least 60 years old, non-smoking, feeding themselves, and not supplementing any vitamins or minerals. Dietary intake of nutrients was assessed by means of a 3-day estimated food record, which was especially developed and validated for this study. Antioxidant status was evaluated by fasting plasma concentrations of vitamin C, E, β-carotene, and selenium. The results show that in this study group self-determined nutrition provides enough nutrients to yield a good antioxidant status in the advanced age. Although no differences could be detected in dietary intake of vitamin C, E, and β-carotene between males and females, significantly higher plasma concentrations of all substances investigated were found in females when compared to males.