Electronic Publications from the Food Assistance & Nutrition Research Program No. (EFAN-04014-4) 360 pp

December 2004

Nutrition and Health Characteristics of Low-Income Populations: Volume IV, Older Adults

by Nancy Cole, Mary Kay Fox, and Biing-Hwan Lin

Data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES-III), conducted in 1988-94, were used to compare the nutrition and health characteristics of the Nation's older adults-men and women ages 60 years and older. Three groups of older adults were compared based on household income: income at or below 130 percent of poverty (lowest income), income between 131 and 185 percent of poverty (low income), and income above 185 percent of poverty (higher income). This research was designed to establish a baseline from which to monitor the nutrition and health characteristics of older Americans over time, particularly those in low- and lowest income groups.

Keywords: Food assistance, poverty, nutrition and health, seniors and elderly, Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, NHANES-III, low-income populations, Food Assistance and Nutrition Research Program, FANRP

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