Obesity, bone status and dietary intake of Palauan elderly congregating in a Senior Citizen's Center.

: A health survey of obesity and bone density measured by an Achilles Ultrasound bone densitometer (Lunar, USA) and nutritional intake was carried out for 15 male and 30 female Palauan elderly persons congregating in a Senior Citizens' Center. The subjects had high obesity values with mean BMI of 27.0 in males and 28.9 in females, and with mean body fat % of 22.3 in males and 39.8 in females (p < 0.01). The females showed a great decline in bone density from 60 to 70 years of age, with mean Stiffness index of 65.0 compared with that of 80.0 for males of the same age group. The subjects have all undergone a certain acculturation in their dietary habits, influenced by traditional Palauan, East-Asian, and Western food and dietary patterns. While all subjects had high carbohydrate intakes, and males had significantly greater intakes of energy, protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin B1 and niacin than females. To determine the association of nutritional intake with obesity and Stiffness index, principal component analysis was carried out for amounts of intake of each food group. Correlation analysis between the scores of each principal food component and the body fat %, the BMI and the stiffness index was done. The score of the fourth principal component named "greater variety of food intake" was found to have significant positive correlation with body fat %. However, between the nutritional intake and body fat %, only a relationship could be identified. The findings indicate a need develop appropriate nutrition education and, particularly to address the problem of obesity.