Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, Vol 54, Issue 6 M329-M332, Copyright © 1999 by The Gerontological Society of America
Description of a mixed ethnic, elderly population. III. Special diets, food preferences, and medicinal intakes
JW Prothro and CA Rosenbloom
Department of Nutrition, Georgia State University, Atlanta 30311, USA.
BACKGROUND: The objective was to assess the use of physician-prescribed
special diets, food preferences, and daily and occasional drug use by
elderly participants in a Title III-C Nutrition Program. METHODS: Data were
collected by nonrandom interviews of congregate and meals-on- wheels
clients. Chi-square was used to assess whether food and drug behaviors were
related to six population variables: ethnicity, age, gender, congregate
versus meals-on-wheels clients, proportion of noon meal usually eaten, and
whether clients lived alone or with others. RESULTS: Special diets and
daily and occasional medications showed no significant differences with
regard to the six variables. Broccoli was the food disliked most
frequently. Suggestions that certain foods be served more frequently were
greater among white than black clients (p < .001) and among home
delivery than among congregate clients (p < .005). Persons who regularly
ate half or less of the noon meal made more suggestions for cooking foods
differently (p < .005) and had longer lists of favorite foods (p <
.001) than those who usually ate most of or all of the meal. Persons who
lived alone had more suggestions for cooking foods differently (p <
.005) and serving certain items more often (p < .05) than those who
lived with other persons. Favorite foods, changes in cooking methods, and
frequency of offering certain foods were not related significantly to age
or to gender. CONCLUSIONS: Certain suggested changes in food choices and
preparation can be implemented within Title III guidelines and may improve
food intakes. While medicinal intakes were similar to those reported
previously for the elderly cohort, there is reason for concern with regard
to drug- induced illness.
