Background/Aim: To be aware of the influencing factors of healthy aging, several cross-sectional surveys have been carried out among the elderly living in Austria to identify health and lifestyle factors as well as socioeconomic influences that contribute to the nutritional situation. Methods: Information about the health situation was collected by questionnaires. Diet was assessed by both qualitative food frequency questionnaires and 24-hour recalls. Additionally, nutritional status was

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... d in blood and urine samples using static and functional parameters. Results: The prevalence of overweight (21%, BMI 129) and obesity increased with increasing age up to 65 years; in people older than 65 years an inverse tendency could be observed; as from this age upwards a high prevalence of underweight was found (22%, BMI !24). The consumption of meat and meat products was too high compared to the recommendations. By contrast, the intake of high nutrient density foods was insufficient. On average, the fat intake was around 38% of total energy (%E);