Food behaviors of southern rural community-living elderly

OBJECTIVE: To examine how food behaviors and indicators of nutritional status of elderly living in rural communities might relate to age, race, income, medication use, activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living, living arrangements, and other lifestyle and health measures. DESIGN: In-home survey administered by trained interviewers. SETTING: Communities in rural North Carolina. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 2178 adults, aged 60 years and older, representing a 2% random stratified example of the region's elderly. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Weight status described by body mass index, functional status as activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living, and self-reported food and health behaviors. RESULTS: Substantial diversity exists among households by age, race, residential location, and household size. Almost three fourths of respondents had seen a physician in the last 6 months. More than 33% of women and 28% of men were obese, but none reported having been prescribed a weight-loss diet. About 18% of the respondents were underweight. Weight was not related to income, perceptions of health, chronic disease, medication use, feelings of depression, instrumental activities of daily living, or exercise. Most (65%) ate three meals per day, and almost all were able to eat without assistance. Few drank much liquid or participated in structured exercise programs. Research is needed to determine the impact of weight status on the quality of life of elderly persons living in rural areas. CONCLUSIONS: Current literature descriptions of food behaviors and nutritional status of the elderly may not appropriately describe rural elderly. Attention should be given to the identification and treatment of malnutrition in the elderly.