Intake of monosaccharides, sucrose and fibre in the elderly - A cross- sectional and longitudinal study

A desirable change according to the latest Nordic Nutrition Recommendations (NNR) is increased intake of carbohydrates and dietary fibre. In two cross-sectional (between 1971-1993 and 1980-1995) and two longitudinal studies (between 1971-80 and 1981-86), elderly men and women from population studies in Goteborg were analysed concerning their food intake, with the diet history method. There were small changes over time both cross-sectionally and longitudinally; the cross-sectional changes were, however, more consistent. The most pronounced cross-sectional changes were increased intake of monosaccharides (from 7.0/5.7 E% (women/men) to 8.0/6.8 among 70-year-olds) and dietary fibre (from 2.1/1.9 g/MJ to 2.5/2.2), and a decreased intake of sucrose (from 10.0/10.0/10.0 E% to 7.8/7.6) with time. This was mostly due to an increased intake of vegetables and fruit, and decreased intake of white sugar. Since the intake of carbohydrates and dietary fibre was too low, a further shift towards more carbohydrate-rich and fibre-rich products is needed if the present NNR are to be met.