Nutritional status of institutionalised elderly, with special reference to iron

Abstract

Iron and nutritional status were determined in 96 subjects over 60 years of age living in two homes for elders. The first group comprised of 31 males and 31 females, while the second group comprised of 34 females. Their dietary intake of energy, protein and iron was determined using the 24 hours dietary recall method and the iron nutritional status was assessed using hematological and biochemical parameters. A higher proportion of females than males had deficient energy intake, while protein intakes were low in both males and females. Iron intakes below the lowest values recommended by the WHO were seen in 7 males (22.6perc.) and 40 females (53.3perc.)