BSc in Nutritional Science

Student Handbook

Page 30

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Initial Survey Results

Characteristics of Sample

Demographic. The 87 participants in the study were fairly evenly distributed in three age

groups: 60 to 65 years (29.9 percent), 66 to 75 years (34.5 percent), and older than 75 years

(35.6 percent) (Table I). The sample was predominantly female (69 percent), as was

anticipated for this age group. The education level was very high, 49.5 percent holding

either a baccalaureate or higher degree. This finding is consistent with the statement of

Krond et al. (76) that elderly persons who respond to research studies frequently have a

high educational background. The high education level also might be expected in a

university community.

Lifestyle. Table 2 shows participant lifestyle characteristics. Of the sample, 41.2 percent

lived alone and 58.8 percent lived with a spouse or other family member. Significant

differences were disclosed in living arrangements by both age and gender (Tables 21, 22,

Appendix K). Those over 75 years and females were more likely to live alone than either

those in younger age groups or males.

The majority of the sample had no dietary restrictions, and only 21.8 percent reported

minor restrictions. None of these modifications, primarily reducing salt or cholesterol, was

neither severe nor precluded study participation.

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