Nutrition of the old Serbian population

Nutrition of the elderly is very important for health and development. Elderly people in a large percentage use inadequate food, especially in terms of protein, vitamins and minerals. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of the nutrition of elderly by territorial parts of Serbia, type of settlement, gender, age, educational level and prosperous state. In that order, the data of extensive survey, conducted by the Institute of Public Health of Serbia, have been analyzed. The results showed that nutrition of elderly population (65 and over) is inadequate. About 72% of them have breakfast regularly, and only 61.6% has all three meals. Around 6% never have breakfast, 93% of them consumed lunch and 69.2% dinner. They eat mostly white and semi-white bread, while other types far less. They commonly used oil (60.5%) and 35.1% pig fat, other fats rarely. As a spread on bread, commonly are used margarine (44.8%) and cream (1.4%), while 37% do not use any prayers. They add salt mainly when the food is not salty enough (49.5%), but about 6% add salt before trying it. Fruits and vegetables are used insufficiently - less than 50% use fruits, vegetables only 32%, except that more educated and wealthier people, who use more. Among different types of food the elderly people commonly use potatoes, rice, pasta and chicken, about 1-2 times a week. Less common they eat fish, beef, processed meats, sweets and soft drinks. About 43% of the elderly drink at least one cup of milk or of milk products per day, most of fat from 0.5 to 3.2%. They usually drink 1-3 cups of coffee a day (76%), tea 46.4%, and sweetened it with a cube of sugar or have sugar-free drink. When choosing a nutrition, 19% of them never thinks about health, and 38% of the elderly do it often or always.