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Micronutrient intakes and adequacy of intake in older adults in Ireland

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 September 2014

Á. Hennessy ,
J. Walton ,
B. McNulty ,
A. Nugent ,
M. Gibney  and
A. Flynn
Á. Hennessy
Affiliation:
Irish Universities Nutrition Alliance (IUNA) at: School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Republic of Ireland
J. Walton
Affiliation:
Irish Universities Nutrition Alliance (IUNA) at: School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Republic of Ireland
B. McNulty
Affiliation:
UCD Institute of Food and Health, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Republic of Ireland
A. Nugent
Affiliation:
UCD Institute of Food and Health, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Republic of Ireland
M. Gibney
Affiliation:
UCD Institute of Food and Health, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Republic of Ireland
A. Flynn
Affiliation:
Irish Universities Nutrition Alliance (IUNA) at: School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Republic of Ireland
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Abstract

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Proceedings of the Nutrition Society , Volume 73 , Issue OCE2: Irish Section Meeting, 18–20 June 2014, Changing Dietary Behaviour: Physiology Through to Practice , 2014 , E93
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2014 

A growing body of evidence exists to support the role of micronutrients in healthy ageing. The objective of this study was to estimate micronutrient intakes and adequacy of intake in a sample of older adults (≥ 65years) in Ireland. Analysis was based on the National Adult Nutrition Survey (NANS), (2008–2010), which collected comprehensive dietary intake data of a representative sample of Irish adults (n 1500) using a 4-day semi-weighed food and beverage record. A sub-sample of adults aged 65 years and over (n 226) were selected and nutrient analyses were carried out using a modified version of WISP© (Tinuviel Software, Anglesey, UK), which encompasses both UK( 1 ) and Irish( Reference Black, Ireland and Møller 2 ) food composition data. Modifications included compositional updates for fortified foods, nutritional supplements and composite dishes. Adequacy of micronutrient intake was assessed using UK estimated average requirements (EAR)( 3 ) and the Institute of Medicine's EAR( 4 ) in the case of vitamin D. Under-reporters (URs), defined using minimum energy intake cut-off points5, calculated as multiples of BMR (Tanita BC 420MA Body Composition Analyser), were excluded from the analysis.

Daily micronutrient intakes of older adults (mean and SD), (excluding URs) and the proportion with intakes below the EAR are reported in the table below.

Our study found that a significant proportion of older adults had inadequate intakes for vitamin D and magnesium. Inadequate intakes (>10%) were observed for vitamin C and zinc in men, and for zinc, iron and folate in older women. These findings highlight the need to investigate strategies to address low micronutrient intake in older adults.

This research was funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine under the Food Institutional Research Measure (FIRM).

References

1. Food Standards Agency (2002) Cambridge: Royal Society of Chemistry.Google Scholar
2. Black, LJ, Ireland, J, Møller, A, et al. (2011) J Food Comp Anal 24, 1017–1023.Google Scholar
3. Department of Health (1991) London: H.M.S.O.Google Scholar
4. Food and Nutrition Board (2011) Washington D.C.: Institute of Medicine.Google Scholar