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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Roger G. Sargent, PhD, Department of Health Promotion and Education, University of South Carolina, School of Public Health, Columbia, SC 29208, Seung-youn Hong, MEd, Dept of Community Health Science, School of Public Healt, U of Illinois at Chicago, 1640 W. Roosevelt #709, MC 626, Chicago, IL 60608-6904, and Hylan D. Shoob, MSPH, PhD, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of South Carolina, School of Public Health, Columbia, SC 29208, 803-252-4608, rsargent@sph.sc.edu.
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess the current national vitamin and mineral supplementation recommendations and RDAs for elderly women. Methods: Numerous national recommendations have been proposed for elderly women with respect to vitamin and mineral supplementation and RDAs. The methods involved summarizing the effects of aging on nutrient utilization, reviewing current dietary intakes and nutrient recommendations for older women, examining common supplements and medications used by older females that influence nutritional status, and providing a basic dietary supplement recommendation for older women. The goal is to ensure optimal nutritional status in older women and in doing so promote overall health and wellness. Results: All women 60 years of age and older should consume a multi-nutrient supplement containing approximately 100-150% of the current RDIs. These supplements should replace a proper diet as shown by the food pyramid for the elderly. The amount of Vitamin A in most supplements should be reduced. The RDAs for Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Calcium, and Folate should be increased. Conclusion: There appears to be a need to reexamine the current recommendations for nutrient intakes, particularly for elderly women. Nutritional intake and nutritional status are affected by a wide range of factors ranging from medication use, physiological changes associated with aging, and reduced appetite and caloric intake due to dentition. Leaning Objectives: Participants will understand the national vitamin and mineral supplementation recommendations and RDAs for elderly women. Participants will also understand the factors that affect the nutritional and health status of these older adults.
Learning Objectives:
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.