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AJPH First Look, published online ahead of print May 29, 2008
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July 2008, Vol 98, No. 7 | American Journal of Public Health 1171-1176
© 2008 American Public Health Association
DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2007.122762

HEALTH POLICY AND ETHICS

Multivitamin–Mineral Supplements in the Older Americans Act Nutrition Program: Not a One-Size-Fits-All Quick Fix

Melissa Ventura Marra, PhD, RD and Nancy S. Wellman, PhD, RD, FADA

At the time of the study, Melissa Ventura Marra and Nancy S. Wellman were with the National Resource Center on Nutrition, Physical Activity & Aging, Stempel School of Public Health, Florida International University, Miami.

Correspondence: Requests for reprints should be sent to Melissa Ventura Marra, PhD, RD, National Resource Center on Nutrition, Physical Activity & Aging, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199 (e-mails: melissa marra{at}comcast.net and wellman{at}fiu.edu).

We challenge the suggestion of Congress that the Older Americans Act (OAA) Nutrition Program should provide multivitamin–mineral supplements (MVMs) in addition to meals. MVMs are not a quick fix for poor diets. They do not contain calories, protein, essential fatty acids, or fiber, nor do they adequately address nutritional gaps of some vitamins and minerals.

Older adults with chronic health conditions who take multiple medications are at greater risk than the general healthy population for nutrient–drug interactions and toxicity. The OAA Nutrition Program is not an appropriate venue to indiscriminately distribute MVMs, because there is insufficient evidence of their benefits and safety.

The program’s limited funds and efforts should instead be directed to nutrient-dense healthy meals, quality food service, and greater accessibility to individualized nutrition services.






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