Elderly people need support to reach five-a-day
Friday May 1st, 2009
By Jane Collingwood
Most elderly people are not eating enough fruit and vegetables, according
to new findings.
Previous work has shown that the elderly British population generally has a low intake of fruit and vegetables, particularly in deprived areas.
Dr Katherine Appleton of Queen's University Belfast, UK, and colleagues investigated fruits and vegetable consumption among 426 people aged 50 or above in Northern Ireland.
The average consumption was four portions per day, with men and older groups generally having a lower intake. Those living in more deprived areas also had significantly lower levels.
In the British Journal of Nutrition, the authors report: "The amount of fruit and vegetables consumed is slightly higher than that reported in older populations in Great Britain, possibly as a result of differences in farming practices and rural activities, although levels of consumption remain below current recommendations for health."
The results "suggest that strategies to increase fruit and vegetable consumption should target males, older individuals and those living in more deprived areas", they add.
Dr Appleton commented: "Fruit and vegetables are vital for psychological as well as physical health. A huge 22 per cent of respondents were not aware of the current government guidelines on eating five portions of fruit and vegetables per day. In fact, some respondents who were eating only two portions per day thought they were eating enough."
She believes that older people are more likely to eat more fruit and vegetables if they are aware of the health benefits. "More should be done to raise older people's awareness of these issues and increase their exposure to products and dishes that contain fruit and vegetables," she stated.
Appleton, K. M., McGill, R. and Woodside, J. V. Fruit and vegetable consumption in older individuals in Northern Ireland: levels and patterns. The British Journal of Nutrition, published online April 9, 2009.
Tags: UK News | Elderly Health | Nutrition & Healthy Eating
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