Research: Food for thought

12 December 2005

Groups in the UK and Chile have assessed a Chilean government initiative to improve the health of its elderly population. An instant food mix fortified with vitamins and minerals is distributed to everyone over 70 registered by the national health service (which covers about 90 per cent of the older population). The programme targets nutritional vulnerability and micronutrient deficiency, which are common among poor older people in Chile.

The study was designed to aid Chilean policy makers and governments in other countries planning similar interventions.

Photo credit: N. Seery

External links

• Dangour AD et al. Chile's national nutritional supplementation program for older people: lessons learned. Food Nutr Bull 2005;26(2):190–7.