Living arrangements and nutrient intakes of healthy women age 65 and older: a study in Manhattan, Kansas.

One hundred healthy women over age 65 were recruited for a study to determine differences in nutrient intakes by living arrangement and to examine the effect of demographic characteristics, health habits, and social contacts on nutrient intakes. There were significant differences (p < 0.05) in the mean intakes for calcium and riboflavin between women living alone and women living with a spouse. There were no significant differences in health habits by living arrangement, but women living alone were more likely to have fewer social contacts than women living with a spouse (x2 = 38.25; p < 0.001). Education, physical activity, and smoking were the most important predictors of nutrient intakes.