Dietary intake and functional ability between 70 and 76 years of age

Functional ability as well as the sociological, psychological, physiological, and nutritional status are important parts of the multi-dimensional problems of older persons. The aim was to study the relationships between ability/disability in daily life activities (ADL) and dietary intake in elderly persons studied longitudinally between 70 and 76 years of age (N = 97) in Goteborg, Sweden. People living in sheltered accommodations were excluded. Dependence in ADL was measured by "The Staircase of ADL"; dietary intake was measured by a Diet History (DH) questionnaire. Most persons had no difficulties, or were dependent on personal help in ADL at age 70 (females 70%, males 80%), but the proportion decreased at the age of 76 (females 43%, males 54%). The sample was divided into subjects without disability both at 70 and 76 years of age (N = 41), subjects disabled only at 76 (N = 31), and subjects disabled both at 70 and 76 years of age (N = 20). Food choice was not affected by disability neither at age 70, nor at age 76. Dietary intake decreased between 70 and 76 years in all three groups. However, despite the fact that one could have expected a relationship between food and nutrient intake, and ADL, we did not find significant relationships. The main reason might be that the group is relatively young, and with ADL problems mainly in instrumental ADLs. It might, therefore, be anticipated that such trends could be more marked in higher age groups.