Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Original Communication
  • Published:

Dietary and nutritional patterns in an elderly rural population in Northern and Southern Italy: (II). Nutritional profiles associated with food behaviours

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 57, pages 1522–1529 (2003)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective: To describe the nutritional profiles of the food consumption patterns identified in an elderly Italian rural population.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Population-based study.

Subjects: A total of 847 men and 1465 women aged 65 y or older, resident in rural areas in the province of Pavia (Northern Italy) and near Cosenza (Southern Italy) in 1992–1993.

Interventions: A cluster analysis segregated the subjects into six groups for men and seven for women on the basis of similarities in their food intake (see companion paper). The mean daily energy, macronutrient, mineral and vitamin intakes were calculated for the sample as a whole and for each cluster, and then compared with the age- and gender-specific recommended daily allowances for the Italian population.

Results: The largest cluster (‘small eaters’, which included about half of the population) had an insufficient intake of essential fatty acids, calcium, potassium, zinc (men), iron (women), thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, β-carotene, and vitamins A, D and E. The most noticeable characteristics of some of the other clusters were a high intake of fats, a high proportion of total energy provided by sugars, a high intake of vitamin C, folic acid and β-carotene, and a high alcohol consumption. Furthermore, sodium intake was too high in all of the clusters and vitamin D intake was generally inadequate.

Conclusions: The dietary habits of elderly Italians living in rural areas combine elements of the Mediterranean and ‘wealthy’ diets.

Sponsorship: National Research Council (Italy) — ‘Invecchiamento’ Project no. 95.01048.PF40.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bell RA & High KP (1997): Alterations of immune defense mechanisms in the elderly: the role of nutrition. Infect. Med. 14, 415–424.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bianchetti A, Rozzini R, Carabellese C, Zanetti O & Trabucchi M (1990): Nutritional intake, socioeconomic conditions, and health status in a large elderly population. J. Am. Geriatr. Soc. 38, 521–526.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bidlack WR & Smith CH (1988): Nutritional requirements of the aged. Crit. Rev. Food Sci. Nutr. 27, 189–218.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carr AC & Frei B (1999): Toward a new recommended dietary allowance for vitamin C based on antioxidant and health effects in humans. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 69, 1086–1107.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Compston JE (1998): Vitamin D deficiency, time for action. BMJ 317, 1466–1467.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Contaldo F, Di Biase G, Lanzetta R, Lanzilli A, Simonetti MS & Fidanza F (1987): Nutritional status of the elderly in Naples. Int. J. Vitam. Nutr. Res. 57, 193–202.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cristina S, Nicolosi A, Hauser WA, Correa Leite ML, Gerosa E & Nappi G (2001): The prevalence of dementia and cognitive deficit in a rural population of 2442 residents in northern Italy. A door-to-door survey. Eur. J. Neurol. 8, 595–600.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cumming JH & Bingham SA (1998): Diet and the prevention of cancer. BMJ 317, 1636–1640.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Delvin EE, Imbach A & Copti M (1988): Vitamin D nutritional status and related biochemical indices in an autonomous elderly population. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 48, 373–378.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dupont J, Holub BJ, Knapp HR & Meydani M (1996): Fatty acid-related functions. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 63(Suppl), S991–S993.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fodor JG, Whitmore B, Leenen F & Larochelle P (1999): Recommendations on dietary salt. CMAJ 160(Suppl 9), S29–S34.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Greenwood DC, Cade JE, Draper A, Barret JH, Calvert C & Greenhalgh A (2000): Seven unique food consumption patterns identified among women in the UK Women's Cohort Study. Eur. J. Clin. Nutr. 54, 314–320.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hamet P, Mongeau E, Lambert J, Bellavance F, Daignault-Gelinas M, Ledoux M & Whissell-Cambiotti L (1991): Interactions among calcium, sodium, and alcohol intake as determinants of blood pressure. Hypertension 17(Suppl 1), S150–S154.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hercberg S, Galan P, Preziosi P, Alfarez MJ & Vazquez C (1998): The potential role of antioxidant vitamins in preventing cardiovascular diseases and cancers. Nutrition 14, 513–520.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Heseker H & Schneider R (1994): Requirement and supply of vitamin C, E and beta-carotene for elderly men and women. Eur. J. Clin. Nutr. 48, 118–127.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hu FB, Rimm EB, Stampfer MJ, Ascherio A, Spiegelman D & Willett WC (2000): Prospective study of major dietary patterns and risk of coronary heart disease in men. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 72, 912–921.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huijbregts PP, Feskens EJ, Rasanen L, Alberti-Fidanza A, Mutanen M, Fidanza F & Kromhout D (1995): Dietary intake in five ageing cohorts of men in Finland, Italy and The Netherlands. Eur. J. Clin. Nutr. 49, 852–860.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kelley DS & Bendich A (1996): Essential nutrients and immunologic functions. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 63(Suppl), S994–S996.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khaw KT & Barret-Connor E (1988): The association between blood pressure, age, and dietary sodium and potassium, a population study. Circulation 77, 53–61.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kleiner SM (1999): Water, an essential but overlooked nutrient. J. Am. Diet. Assoc. 99, 200–206.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Krauss RM, Deckelbaum RJ, Ernst N, Fischer E, Howard BV, Knopp RH, Kotchen T, Lichtenstein AH, McGill HC, Pearson TA, Prewitt TE, Stone NJ, Van Horn L & Weinberg R (1996): Dietary guidelines for healthy American adults. Circulation 94, 1795–1800.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lee IM (1999): Antioxidant vitamins in the prevention of cancer. Proc. Assoc. Am. Physicians 111, 10–15.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Levine M, Rumsey SC, Daruwala R, Park JB & Wang Y (1999): Criteria and recommendations for vitamin C intake. JAMA 281, 1415–1423.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Masi L & Bilezikian JP (1997): Osteoporosis, new hope for the future. Int. J. Fertil. Womens Med. 42, 245–254.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Midgley JP, Matthew AG, Greenwood CM & Logan AG (1996): Effect of reduced dietary sodium on blood pressure, a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. JAMA 275, 1590–1597.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moreiras O, van Staveren WA, Cruz JA, Nes M & Lund-Larsen K (1991): Intake of energy and nutrients. Euronut SENECA investigators. Eur. J. Clin. Nutr. 45(Suppl 3), S105–S119.

    Google Scholar 

  • O'Hanlon P, Kohrs MB, Hilderbrand E & Nordstrom J (1983): Socioeconomic factors and dietary intake of elderly Missourians. J. Am. Diet. Assoc. 82, 646–653.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ortega RM, Andres P, Redondo MR, Zamorra MJ, Lopez-Sobaler AM & Encinas-Sotilhos A (1995): Dietary assessment of a group of elderly Spanish people. Int. J. Food Sci. Nutr. 46, 137–144.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ortega RM, Requejo AM, Andrés P, Lopez-Sobaler AM, Quintas ME, Redondo MR, Navia B & Rivas T (1997): Dietary intake and cognitive function in a group of elderly people. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 66, 803–809.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Payette H & Gray-Donald K (1991): Dietary intake and biochemical indices of nutritional status in an elderly population, with estimates of the precision of the 7-d food record. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 54, 478–488.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Randall E, Marshall JR, Brasure J & Graham S (1992): Dietary patterns and colon cancer in western New York. Nutr. Cancer 18, 265–276.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ryan VC & Bower ME (1989): Relationship of socioeconomic status and living arrangements to nutritional intake of the older person. J. Am. Diet. Assoc. 89, 1805–1807.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Salvini S, Parpinel M, Gnagnarella P, Maisonneuve P & Turrini A (1998): Banca dati di composizione degli alimenti per studi epidemiologici in Italia. Milano, Istituto Europeo di Oncologia.

  • SAS Institute Inc. (1989): SAS/STAT User's Guide, Version 6, 4th Edition, Vol. 1, pp. 943Cary, NC: SAS Institute Inc.

  • Schulze MB, Hoffmann K, Krobe A & Boeing H (2001): Dietary patterns and their association with food and nutrient intake in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)-Potsdam study. Br. J. Nutr. 85, 363–373.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Società Italiana di Nutrizione Umana (SINU) (Revisione 1996: Livelli di Assunzione Giornalieri Raccomandati di Energia e Nutrienti per la Popolazione Italiana (World Wide Web URL, (http://www.sinu.it).

  • Trevisan M, Krogh V, Freudenheim J, Blake A, Muti P, Panico S, Farinaro E, Mancini M, Menotti A & Ricci G (1990): Consumption of olive oil, butter, and vegetable oils and coronary heart disease risk factors. The Research Group ATS-RF2 of the Italian National Research Council. JAMA 263, 688–692.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tribble DL (1999): Antioxidant consumption and risk of coronary heart disease, emphasis on vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene. Circulation 99, 591–595.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Van Horn L (1997): Fiber, lipids, and coronary heart disease. Circulation 95, 2701–1704.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Warsama Jama J, Launer LJ, Witteman JCM, Breeijen JH, Breteler MMB, Grobbee DE & Hofman A (1996): Dietary antioxidants and cognitive function in a population-based sample of older persons. The Rotterdam study. Am. J. Epidemiol. 144, 275–280.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wielen RP, Wild GM, Groot LC, Hoefnagels WH & Staveren WA (1996): Dietary intakes of energy and water-soluble vitamins in different categories of aging. J. Gerontol. A. Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. 51, B100–107.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Willett WC (1994): Micronutrients and cancer risk. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 59(Suppl 5), S1162–S1165.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Willett W (1998): Nutritional Epidemiology, pp 95–97. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Wirfalt AK & Jeffery RW (1997): Using cluster analysis to examine dietary patterns: nutrient intakes, gender, and weight status differ across food pattern clusters. J. Am. Diet. Assoc. 97, 272–279.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization (1990): Diet, nutrition, and the prevention of chronic diseases. Report of a WHO Study Group. Technical Report Series no.797, Geneva: WHO.

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. M L Corrêa Leite and A Nicolosi: Guarantors: ML Corrêa Leite and A Nicolosi.

  2. M L Corrêa Leite, A Nicolosi, S Cristina, W A Hauser, P Pugliese and G Nappi: Contributors: A Nicolosi designed the protocol and supervised the execution of the study. S Cristina was the project director. WA Hauser designed the protocol and directed the training of the field staff. P Pugliese organised the field work. G Nappi obtained funding. ML Correa Leite did the statistical analysis and wrote the manuscript.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Epidemiology and Medical Informatics, Institute of Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council, Milan, Italy

    M L Corrêa Leite & A Nicolosi

  2. G.H. Sergievsky Center, School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, USA

    A Nicolosi & W A Hauser

  3. Neurological Institute ‘C. Mondino’, Pavia, Italy

    S Cristina & G Nappi

  4. School of Medicine, University ‘Tor Vergata’, Rome, Italy

    P Pugliese

Authors
  1. M L Corrêa Leite
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A Nicolosi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. S Cristina
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. W A Hauser
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. P Pugliese
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. G Nappi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to A Nicolosi.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Corrêa Leite, M., Nicolosi, A., Cristina, S. et al. Dietary and nutritional patterns in an elderly rural population in Northern and Southern Italy: (II). Nutritional profiles associated with food behaviours. Eur J Clin Nutr 57, 1522–1529 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601720

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601720

Keywords

This article is cited by

Search

Advanced search

Quick links