Nutrient intakes and food group patterns in rural older women

Nutrient intakes and food group patterns were evaluated in 156 rural older women (>60 yrs). Three 24-hour recalls were collected on random days by telephone interview. Data were collected and nutrients were analyzed using the Minnesota Nutrition Data System. Individual food data was coded and food groups and serving sizes were assigned as defined by the Food Guide Pyramid. Mean intakes of vitamins D and E, and calcium were below recommendations. Intakes were less than half of the RDA in 24% of women for vitamin D, 22% for vitamin E, 22% for calcium and 24% for zinc. For vitamin B6 and magnesium 32% of women and 46% of women respectively had intakes below 77% of the RDA. Women were close to meeting (within 0.5 servings) or met recommendations for number of servings from the fruit group (2.1 ± 1.2), vegetable group (2.8 ± 1.3), milk group (1.6 ± 1.1), and meat group (1.8 ± 0.9) whereas the mean number of servings from the bread group (4.6 ± 1.8) was well below recommendations. Nutrient intakes were reflected in part by a limited number of servings from the various food groups. Food guidance for rural older women should emphasize food sources that are high in vitamins D, E, and B6, calcium and zinc.