Nutritional status of the elderly in Palmares, Costa Rica.

The nutritional status of aged persons living in a small Costa Rican community was evaluated using anthropometric measurements, clinical findings and dietary surveys. Eighteen per cent of the aged were overweight, a condition that occurred more frequently in women than in men. In a random sample of subjects, serum albumin values were low in 45%, serum cholesterol values high in 39%, and hemoglobin values low in 3%. The subjects consumed a simple, repetitive diet with few processed foods which met 80% of requirements for protein, calcium, and iron, although calorie and vitamin A values appeared low. The lack of severe nutritional problems of the elderly was attributed to the family structure, good hygiene and protection from debilitating infectious disease, good community health services, and simple balanced diets.