Determination of Dietary Status as a Risk Factor of Cardiovascular Heart Disease in Turkish Elderly People

This study was performed to determine the status of diet as a risk factor of cardiovascular heart disease in a group of Turkish elderly people. We performed a cross-sectional study using the data of voluntary participants aged between 65–74 years old. Participants completed 3-day diet records. Of participants, 64.1% of the men and 62.2% of the women reported their daily dietary fat intake as being > 30% of total energy (p >.05). More than 20% of these elderly respondents’ daily intakes of vitamin E, vitamin B₆, vitamin B₁₂, and folate were found to be under the recommended values. As a result, the total fat intake of these elderly people was found to be high; while their intake of fiber and vitamin B₆, vitamin B₁₂ were found to be low, compared to American Heart Association recommendations. In conclusion, it is recommended that developing sufficient and balanced diets may decrease cardiovascular risk factors.