INTRODUCTION:

The dietary pattern of the elderly is a key factor of life quality, morbidity and mortality. Data on this are scarce in the Argentinean population. The objective was to assess food and beverage consumption habits in Argentinean households considering presence of elderly members and income level.

METHODS:

An observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted, using information collected in the 2017-2018 National Household Expenditure Survey. Apparent food consumption (g or ml) per adult equivalent per day was calculated, for three types of households according to the presence of adults over 60 years old: a) without elderly members (WEM), b) multigenerational including elderly members (MEM), and c) single-generation of elderly members (SEM), stratified by income level.

RESULTS:

Out of 21,254 households having purchased food and beverages during the week of data collection, 64% were WEM, 19% MEM and 17% SEM. SEM households had higher apparent food and beverage consumption, especially of vegetables and fruit, legumes, milk, yoghurt and cheese, eggs, oil, dried fruit and seeds, and foods included in the optional group according to national dietary guidelines. For these food groups, the consumption increased as the household income increased.

DISCUSSION:

The analysis showed differences in dietary habits by household composition and income level. It allows planning strategies to improve life quality of a growing population group.