The authors objective was to assess the intake of some important nutrients and to become famili- ar with the basic dietary habits in a certain area of the Slovak Republic. They examined, using questionnaires, 193 subjects above 65 years of age (mean age of men 72.7 years, mean age of women 70.4 years) and 191 subjects aged 50 – 65 years (mean age 57.5 and 56.6 years resp.) living in south-western Slovakia. In both age groups there was a high energy intake due in particular to a high dietary fat, protein and partly carbohydrate consumption. They found low calcium, iron and riboflavin intakes. The frequency of the main meals was in the older subjects more regular than in the group of younger subjects. As to basic foods of animal origin, consumption of pork and poultry was most frequent. The examined subjects preferred bacon and lard to butter and vege- table fats; they preferred also white bread. Both groups consumed dairy products only rarely but ate frequently sweet dishes, jams and jellies. In particular in summer the probands consumed sufficient amounts of fruit and vegetables, with the exception of pulses. The egg consumption was adequate. In both groups there was a high proportion of subjects with excessive body weight, in particular among the 50 – 65-year-old men. The assembled data provide evidence of some undesi- rable dietary trends in this Slovak region. A high consumption of fats, protein, carbohydrates is typical and from this ensues the large proportion of obese subjects. On the other hand, the authors found that the diet was deficient in iron , riboflavin and calcium.

        Key words: nutrition and dietary habits – advanced age groups – obesity