This study examines the association of dietary quality with the living arrangements of older Americans observed in the First National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES I, 1971-74) and in the NHANES I Epidemiologic Follow-up Study (NHEFS, 1982-1984).

Three categories of living arrangements were defined:

• those who lived with a spouse at baseline, but alone at follow-up (n=382);

• those who lived with a spouse at both baseline and follow-up (n=1849);

• and those who lived alone at both time periods (n=396).

Food group consumption at the time of the NHEFS was compared to current dietary recommendations.

Men who lived with a spouse at both times reported diets that were closer to the recommendations for fruit and vegetable consumption than men who lived alone.