Nutr Res Pract.  2018 Aug;12(4):315-323. 10.4162/nrp.2018.12.4.315.

Effect of seasonal changes on nutritional status and biochemical parameters in Turkish older adults

• Ersoy N
• Taşçi I
• ÖzgürtaÅŸ T
• Salih B
• Doruk H
• RakicioÄŸlu N

• KMID: 2420997
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4162/nrp.2018.12.4.315

Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES
Available data suggest that seasonal changes may influence the nutritional status and overall health of elderly individuals. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effects of seasonal changes and related factors on energy and nutrient intake of older adults.
SUBJECTS/METHODS
Individuals aged 65 years or over were prospectively enrolled in this single-center study (male: 11, female: 20). Data were collected between May 2013 and February 2014 during winter, spring, summer and autumn. Food consumption and biochemical parameters were taken during each season to assess the seasonal nutrition status of the elderly. Upon analysis of biochemical parameters (retinol, vitamin D and vitamin C), an high-performance liquid chromatography device was utilized whereas an Immulite 2000 device was utilized during analysis of serum folic acid and parathyroid hormone.
RESULTS
Fruit, fat, egg and bread consumption varied seasonally in males and females (P < 0.05). During winter, daily energy intake was found to be greater than in other seasons in males (557 kcal) and females (330 kcal) (P < 0.05). Additionally, carbohydrates, vegetable protein, n-3 fatty acid and sodium intake increased in winter, while the n-6/n-3 ratio increased in summer among males (P < 0.05). Dietary fiber and sodium intake in winter, vitamin C, iron and zinc intake in spring, and cholesterol, retinol, vitamin D and niacin intake in autumn were found to be higher in females when compared to other seasons (P < 0.05). Serum parathyroid hormone level was higher in winter, and vitamin D level was higher in autumn in both genders (P < 0.05). In males, blood folic acid level was higher in winter, while vitamin C level was higher in females, and there was no seasonal variation in retinol concentration (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
Food consumption and biochemical parameters showed significant seasonal variations in older adults. It is not clear if nutrition plans in older adults will benefit from consideration of seasonal changes in eating habits.

Keyword

Seasonal changes; nutritional status; biochemical parameters; older adults

MeSH Terms

Adult*
Aged
Ascorbic Acid
Bread
Carbohydrates
Cholesterol
Chromatography, Liquid
Dietary Fiber
Eating
Energy Intake
Female
Folic Acid
Fruit
Humans
Iron
Male
Niacin
Nutritional Status*
Ovum
Parathyroid Hormone
Prospective Studies
Seasons*
Sodium
Vegetable Proteins
Vitamin A
Vitamin D
Vitamins
Zinc
Ascorbic Acid
Carbohydrates
Cholesterol
Folic Acid
Iron
Niacin
Parathyroid Hormone
Sodium
Vegetable Proteins
Vitamin A
Vitamin D
Vitamins
Zinc

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