Objective
To describe associations among socioeconomic conditions and dietary patterns of Botswana elderly.

Design
Secondary analysis from a cross-sectional nationwide survey.

Participants
Subjects (N = 1086, 60-99 years old) were selected after multistage sampling.

Main Outcome Measures
Dietary patterns were dependent variables; health and socioeconomic variables were independent variables.

Analysis
Factor analysis with varimax rotation; least squares regression.

Results
The most widely consumed food items were tea (91%), sorghum (82%), and maize-meal (63%). Five dietary patterns emerged: beer; meat/fruit; vegetable/bread; seasonal produce; and milk/tea/candy patterns. Elderly women, those attending church, and those living with grandchildren were less associated with the Beer Pattern. The Vegetable and Bread Pattern was more common among grandparents living with children and those living in towns (urban). Widowed elders were less likely to consume meat/fruit (P < .005). Half had a large family size (6 to 10 children), with about 30% supporting 1 to 5 children.

Conclusions and Implications
Dietary patterns suggested both food to be emphasized in nutrition education programs and those who may benefit most. Nutrition education efforts in Botswana should focus on improving food diversity, with particular targeting of widowed elderly and those in rural areas, and on increasing vegetable, fruit, meat, and milk intake.