Nutritional status of middle-aged and elderly females in Kentucky in two seasons: Part 1. Body weight and related factors.

Middle-aged and elderly females aged between 51 and 86 years volunteered for this study. In June and July, 147 females were studied; data collected through interview included general socioeconomic information, health history, use of medication, and a 7-day food intake. During the same 7-day period, physical activity level was measured for each person by use of a pedometer. On the 8th day, anthropometric measurements were conducted and fasting blood was analyzed for certain hormones and related metabolites. In the following January and February, the same group was surveyed again and the same measurements were repeated. Of the initial 147 subjects, 130 persons completed the winter survey. A comparison of the summer and winter data indicated some significant differences: mean body weight increased in winter from 70.4 +/- 12.7 to 71.1 +/- 13.5 kg (p less than or equal to 0.05); energy intake was raised from 1450 +/- 384 to 1549 +/- 372 kcal (p less than or equal to 0.01); physical activity decreased from 10.9 +/- 8.2 to 8.5 +/- 5.4 miles/week (p less than or equal to 0.01); and serum free thyroxine (T4) fell from 1.72 +/- 0.27 to 1.64 +/- 0.27 ng/dl. These results together with other data suggest that more attention should be addressed to seasonal fluctuations involved in body weight maintenance.

Nutritional status of middle-aged and elderly females in Kentucky in two seasons: Part 2. Hematological parameters.

There is some indication that change of seasons, from summer to winter, alters certain hematological parameters that could be indicative of hemodilution and hemoconcentration. To investigate this further, we studied adult females (n = 130) aged between 51 and 86 years during summer and winter to evaluate any seasonal variations in selected hematological and related parameters. Data included a 7-day food intake, anthropometry, and hematological analysis of fasting blood. Erythrocyte and leukocyte counts, hematocrit (HCT), and hemoglobin (Hb) increased significantly in the winter compared to summer (p less than 0.01), but intakes of folacin, vitamin B12, and iron did not change. No effects of age or race were observed on these changes. Significantly elevated leukocyte counts (p less than 0.002), HCT (p less than 0.03), and Hb (p less than 0.007) were observed among smokers; however, smoking had no effect on the seasonal changes in hematological values. The increase in HCT was greater for persons using diuretics than those who were not on diuretics (p less than 0.05). The seasonal changes in erythrocyte counts (p less than 0.01), HCT (p less than 0.01), and Hb (p less than 0.05) were significantly correlated to the changes in plasma protein concentration among the subjects, suggesting hemoconcentration in winter and hemodilution in summer to some extent. The present study suggests that seasonal variation may occur in hematological parameters and that these factors should be taken into consideration when evaluating survey data.

Effects of supplementation of the diets with calcium and calcium-rich foods on bone density of elderly females with osteoporosis.

Diets of 20 elderly females with osteoporosis were supplemented daily with 2.25 oz of processed cheese, and 3 capsules of dicalcium phosphate + vitamin D containing 350 mg Ca, 270 mg P, and 399 IU vitamin D, for a 6-month period. The bone density of the 3-2 phalanx was measured densitometrically from the hand x-ray taken with a standard aluminum stepwedge. Fasting blood and urine were analyzed at the beginning and end of the experimental period. The mean bone density increased (p less than 0.05). There were 11 subjects with increased bone density, three with no changes and six with reductions in bone density. Calcium, P, and alkaline phosphatase in serum and Ca/creatinine and P/creatinine in urine were unchanged. The changes in bone density were correlated to the changes in body weight (r = 0.6529). The results suggested that, even with a mean age of 70 yr, some elderly persons can benefit from supplementary Ca and Ca-rich foods to improve bone density.