Greger J L, Sciscoe B S
J Am Diet Assoc. 1977 Jan;70(1):37-41.
Elderly participants in Title VII congregate feeding programs in Indianapolis can be characterized generally as being retired, usually living alone, and often reporting some disease condition, particularly arthritis, hypertension, and/or heart disease. On an average weekday, the nutrient intake of these people, except for zinc, approximated the amounts suggested in the Recommended Dietary Allowances. Fifty-nine per cent of the subjects consumed less than two-thirds of the allowance for zinc. Generally, they consumed over half of their allowances for eight nutrients at the site meal. The nutritional significance of apparent low intakes of dietary zinc among subjects is not clear. Eleven per cent had hair zinc levels below 100 mcg. per gram, but none were below 70 mcg. Therefore, on the basis of hair zinc levels, none could be absolutely calssified as zinc deficient. Although hair zinc levels were not correlated to dietary zinc intake, they were inversely correlated to dietary calcium and fat intake. Taste acuity by these elderly participants was generally less than that reported for young adults. However, women had greater taste acuity for sodium chloride than men. Sixteen per cent of the subjects were particularly insensitive to the taste of sodium chloride. Finally, there was no correlation between taste acuity and dietary zinc intake.
印第安纳波利斯市参与《第七章》集体供餐计划的老年参与者，总体上具有退休、通常独居、且常患有某些疾病，尤其是关节炎、高血压和/或心脏病的特点。在一个普通工作日，这些人的营养摄入量（锌除外）接近《推荐膳食摄入量》中建议的量。59%的受试者锌摄入量不到推荐量的三分之二。一般来说，他们在供餐点摄入的八种营养素超过了一半的推荐量。受试者膳食锌明显摄入量低的营养意义尚不清楚。11%的人头发锌含量低于每克100微克，但没有人低于70微克。因此，根据头发锌含量，没有人能被绝对归类为锌缺乏。虽然头发锌含量与膳食锌摄入量无关，但与膳食钙和脂肪摄入量呈负相关。这些老年参与者的味觉敏锐度总体上低于年轻人报告的水平。然而，女性对氯化钠的味觉敏锐度高于男性。16%的受试者对氯化钠的味道特别不敏感。最后，味觉敏锐度与膳食锌摄入量之间没有相关性。
