Details of Element: Calories
Component of Mean Nutrient Intakes

Unique Name: calor
Contained in the Common BLSA Data Set ? Yes

Data Points (as of 09/06/98) Males Females Total
Number of Data Points 2755 0 2755
Number of Distinct Participants 845 0 845
Year First Collected 1959 n/a -
Year Last Collected 1975 n/a -

Type of Variable: Absolute Measure
Encoding: Continuous
Units of Measure: Calories
Precision: ####.
Anticipated Range: 1000. thru 4000.
Masterfile Index: 301-18-01
Related Data Elements: none
Specific to this Data Element:
    Descriptive history:
    A study of the food habits of the men participating in the longitudinal study began in 1961 when a nutritionist was assigned to the project.

    Data collection methodology:

    1961-1965: After an interview about general food habits by the nutritionist, subjects were instructed in recording the kind and quantity of food eaten using food models and various dishes to assist in estimating portion sizes. Subjects then recorded in three-day intakes while at the center in order to practice recording and estimating quantities. On the last day, the nutritionist gave the subject a y-day diet record booklet to record intake at home for a typical week. When this record was completed it was mailed to the nutritionist. Men were asked to keep four seven-day records, one for each season of the year. When the subject returned, usually eighteen months after the first visit, booklets were reviewed by the subject with the nutritionist. Records were then recorded. Booklets were coded and analyzed on a 7090 computer. Daily average intakes of twenty nutrients were computed for each seven-day period employing methods then in use at the National Heart Institute. Only two of the four diet records up to and including 1965 were used to characterize the dietary intakes.

    1968-1975: Coding of the remaining records for the 1961-1965 study was completed. From 1968 to 1975, men were asked to complete only one seven-day food record after each visit. In March 1973, subjects were sent food record booklets prior to the visit and brought to the center for review.

    Related protocols:
    Vitamin B6 Status of American Adult Males (1971-1973); Gerontology Nutrition Study (1984-1991)

    Investigators:

    Frequency of data collection:

    Inclusion/exclusion rules:

    Publications using these data:
  • Shock NW. Energy metabolism, caloric intake and physical activity in the aging. IN: LA Carlson (Editor), Nutrition in Old Age (X Symposia of the Swedish Nutrition Fdn.) Almqvist & Wiksell, Uppsala, 1972, pp 12-23.
  • Hershcopf RJ, Elahi D, Andres R, Baldwin HL, Raizes GS, Schocken DD, Tobin JD. Longitudinal changes in serum cholesterol in man: An epidemiologic search for an etiology. J Chron Dis 35:101-114, 1982.
  • Shock NW. The role of nutrition in aging. J Am Coll Nutr 1:3-9, 1982.
  • Elahi VK, Elahi D, Andres R, Tobin JD, Butler MG, Norris AH. A longitudinal study of nutritional intake in men. J Gerontol 38:162-180, 1983.
  • Hallfrisch J, Tobin JD, Muller DC, Andres R. Fiber intake, age, and other coronary risk factors in men of the Baltimore Longitudinal Study (1959-1975). J Gerontol 43:M64-68, 1988.
  • Sobell J, Block G, Koslowe P, Tobin J, Andres R. Validation of a retrospective questionnaire assessing diet 10-15 years ago. Am J Epidemiol 130:173-187, 1989.
  • Hallfrisch J, Muller DC, Drinkwater D, Tobin JD, Andres R. Continuing diet trends--The Baltimore longitudinal Study of Aging (1961-1987). J Gerontol 1990;45:M186-191.
  • Hallfrisch J. The relationship of nutritional variables to aging: Results of the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. IN: Ingram DK, Shock NW, Baker II G. (eds) The potential for nutritional modulation of aging; Chapter 4. Westport, CN: Food and Nutrition Press, 1991; 67-80.
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