Nutritional status of elderly patients living in Budapest

The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status of elderly belonging to one primary care office. Twenty-seven men and 26 women, all over 60 years, were involved. Nutritional assessment, anthropometric measurements were performed, serum proteins, lipid and iron status and haematological parameters were determined. Energy and protein intake was sufficient, but the distribution of energy with a high fat and low carbohydrate was inadequate. Iron, copper, calcium, retinol and folate intake was lower, whereas sodium, ascorbic acid and cobalamin intake was higher than the Hungarian recommendation. The prevalence of obesity characterized by body mass index or waist circumference was higher in women than in men. The percentage of pathological levels of lipid parameters was also higher in women. No iron deficient erythropoesis was detected, but high serum ferritin concentration as a marker of body iron store was determined in some cases.  General practitioners have possibilities to influence the nutritional habits of elderly, thereby reducing the incidence of obesity, cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Iron status of Hungarian elderly looks to be satisfactory, so supplementation without testing the iron status would be useless and harmful

Dietary habits of medical and pharmacy students at Semmelweis University, Budapest

The lack of data regarding dietary and lifestyle habits of Hungarian university students prompted us to undertake a cross-sectional pilot study of students of Semmelweis University, Budapest. A total of 264 students (78 males with mean age of 21.4±2.6 y and 186 females with a mean age of 21.2±2.6 y) were involved in the study. The questionnaires contained inquiries of energy and nutrient intake, use of vitamin and mineral supplements, food frequency, meal frequency and physical activity. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS for Windows 9.0. The energy, protein and fat intake was somewhat higher than the Hungarian Recommended Dietary Allowances (HRDA) (BIRÓ & LINDNER, 1999). Sodium intake was alarmingly high. Vitamin D consumption was inadequate. The intake of the members of vitamin B group with exception of B12 and niacin was insufficient. The daily consumption of milk, dairy products, fruits and vegetables was deficient. The meal pattern was unbalanced. Only 66% of males and 52% of females were involved in a regular physical activity. Our results suggest that nutrition should be introduced into the medical curriculum as a separate and full-fledged course of study

Nutrition, life-style practice, serum vitamin D concentration and bone density in Hungarian adolescents

This study investigates the nutritional status, life-style practices, serum vitamin D and bone density of adolescents. A total of 326 adolescents, aged between 11 and 14 years, were involved in the present examination: after winter 110 boys and 97 girls (March 2002 and February 2003), and after summer 66 boys and 53 girls (October 2002 and 2003) were investigated. Energy and nutrient intake and life-style practices were assessed. Body mass and height were measured, body mass index was calculated. Serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] was determined. Bone mineral density of calcaneus was measured. Protein intake was higher than the Hungarian RDA. All of the students had vitamin D intake far below the RDA, 33.3% of boys and 43.2% of girls had Ca intake below 70% of RDA, and sodium intake was more than twice higher than the RDA. After winter, 2% of boys and 8% of girls were considered vitamin D deficient and 11% and 19% vitamin D insufficient, respectively. After summer, 24% of boys and 21% of girls had 25(OH)D level over the reference range. The mineral content of bone was insufficient in 12.9% of boys and 10.4% of girls, respectively. The majority of the students had physical activity only in school, incorporated in the timetable