Food habits and nutrient intake in three 70-year-old free-living populations in Gothenburg, Sweden. A 22-year cohort study

Within the gerontological and geriatric population studies, in Gothenburg, Sweden (H70), food habits of elderly persons have been studied since 1971/72. The main purpose was to compare food, energy and nutrient intake in three representative samples of 70-year-olds. The populations comprised 179 men and 181 women studied in 1971-72, 132 men and 130 women studied in 1981-83 and 61 men and 133 women studied in 1993, all 70 years old. The same method - Diet History (DH) - was used. However, with a time span of more than twenty years, many methodological difficulties existed. Standardisation has been undertaken regarding nutrient data bases and portions to make comparison between cohorts possible. In men it was shown that free versus standardised portions for spread made an important difference in fat and energy intake. Food choice had changed. For example, sugar and potato intake had decreased and intake of rice, pasta and fresh vegetables increased. Women ate more vegetables than men in all three cohorts. Energy intake seemed to be quite stable during the period. The nutrient density increased for protein, fibre, vitamin D, thiamine, vitamin C (women). The data show that the elderly have followed the same trends regarding choice of foods as younger and middle-aged people. Nutrient intake was in general good and nutrient density seems to have increased from the 1971 to the 1993 cohort. Food choice seems to have changed more than nutrient intake and many changes were due to the obvious trend of increasing diversity.