Nutrient intake and supplement use in community-dwelling older versus younger BASE-II adults
In BASE-II, community-dwelling adults aged 60–84 did not generally have less favourable nutrient intakes than a younger comparison group; more older participants were at risk of inadequate calcium intake, while younger participants more often had inadequate intakes of several B vitamins. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
Nutrient and supplement intake was assessed in 1671 community-dwelling BASE-II participants aged 60–84 years using the EPIC Potsdam food frequency questionnaire, with 500 participants aged 22–36 years as comparison. [1]
The proportion at risk of inadequate calcium intake was higher among older than younger participants (34 vs. 26%), while younger participants more often had inadequate intakes of several B vitamins. [1]
Supplement use was more common among older participants (47.3% vs. 43.0%) but not statistically significantly different, and the authors state the findings cannot be assumed to represent the wider German older population. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Observational study using food frequency questionnaire and physician interviews (abstract)
- Population / context
- 1671 community-dwelling BASE-II participants aged 60–84 years, compared with 500 participants aged 22–36 years.
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- September 20, 2026
BASE-II compares nutrient intake in older and younger adults
The Berlin Aging Study II (BASE-II) assessed dietary nutrient and supplement intake in 1671 community-dwelling participants aged 60–84 years using the EPIC Potsdam food frequency questionnaire; supplement use was also recorded in physician interviews. Intakes were compared with German Nutrition Society (DGE) reference values. A group of 500 participants aged 22–36 years served as comparison. The proportion with potentially inadequate intake was estimated with the (E)AR Cut-Point Method and a probabilistic approach for iron.
Supporting source [1]
Calcium risk higher in older, B-vitamin risk higher in younger
Mean intakes met DGE reference values for most micronutrients in both age groups, whereas fat and protein intake exceeded recommendations. The proportion at risk of inadequate calcium intake was higher among older than younger participants (34 vs. 26%). Younger participants more frequently had inadequate intakes of several B vitamins, particularly vitamin B1 (25 vs. 22%), vitamin B12 (3.7 vs. 0.6%), vitamin B2 (32 vs. 26%), vitamin B6 (30 vs. 20%) and vitamin B9 (folate, 64 vs. 55%). More than 15% of participants in both groups were at risk of inadequate magnesium and vitamin D intake. For iron, the probabilistic approach indicated a risk of inadequate intake among 37% of younger women.
Supporting source [1]
Supplement use similar; findings not representative of all older Germans
Supplement use was more common among older participants (47.3% vs. 43.0%), although the difference was not statistically significant. The authors conclude that in this relatively healthy, community-dwelling BASE-II population, older adults did not generally have less favourable nutrient intakes than younger participants, but the higher proportion at risk of inadequate calcium intake warrants attention. Given the specific characteristics of the BASE-II cohort, these findings cannot be assumed to represent the wider German older population.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. The study is observational and describes a relatively healthy, community-dwelling BASE-II cohort, so the findings cannot be assumed to represent the wider German older population. Associations are not causes.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Heimberg K, Martin A, Ehlers A, Hirsch-Ernst KI, Demuth I, Spira D, Steinhagen-Thiessen E. · europepmc.org · September 20, 2026