Older Kiwis at high risk of malnutrition due to low intake of meat and dairy

A  study involving people over the age of 65 in New Zealand, Canada and the Netherlands shows two-thirds of the participants are at high risk of malnutrition.

Professor of Public Health Nutrition Carol Wham, Massey University says the largest risk factor for New Zealanders was a low intake of dairy – 65.4 per cent said they have one portion or less a day – while 57.1 per cent only ate meat, eggs, fish or a meat substitute once a day or less. She says meeting the daily recommended intake for meat (at least one serving a day)  and dairy (at least three serves a day) is directly linked to people’s intake of protein, calcium and other important nutrients needed for maintaining muscle and bone strength.