The nutritional status of the elderly in Russia, 1992 through 1994

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to ascertain how economic reform has affected nutritional well-being of the elderly in the Russian Federation. Methods. A sample of more than 2932 Russians 60 years of age and older was selected from a nationally representative survey of Russian households. A 24- hour dietary recall and data on weight, height, and socioeconomic status were collected during 1992 and 1993 and from a separate nationally representative sample of 1955 persons in the same age group in 1994. Results. Russia's elderly did not experience major declines in economic or nutritional well- being during the first 2 years of the reform period. Dietary composition shifted slightly toward reduced fat consumption. A small proportion of individuals showed signs of underweight. Of those who were underweight in 1992, none had lost more than 3 kg of weight by 1993. Among those 70 years of age and older, none who were underweight had lost any appreciable weight, although half lost small amounts. Conclusions. Many more underweight elderly people increased than reduced their weight. Mean weight increased among all body mass index groups over the year reported here. However, economic conditions in December 1994 raise concerns.