Influences on diet quality in older age: the importance of social factors

Bloom, Ilse; Edwards, Mark H.; Jameson, Karen; Syddall, Holly; Dennison, Elaine; Gale, Catharine R.; Baird, Janis; Cooper, Cyrus; Sayer, Avan Aihie; Robinson, Siân

doi:10.1093/ageing/afw180

Cited by 55 publications

(69 citation statements)

References 29 publications

(36 reference statements)

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“…Further research with individuals not accessing community support would be valuable, as would a focus on older males living alone who are more likely to have a less extensive social network and potentially be involved in fewer social activities compared to their female counterparts [ 60 ]. This is particularly relevant, given that greater engagement in social and cognitive leisure activities by older adults has been associated with having a better quality diet [ 61 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

On Your Own: Older Adults’ Food Choice and Dietary Habits

2018

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The United Kingdom, in common with many countries, has an ageing demographic. Changes accompanying ageing can influence food choice and dietary habits. This study explored older adults’ perceptions and practices related to dietary behaviour and the factors influencing their food choice in later life. Semi-structured focus-group discussions were conducted with 30 individuals (aged 63–90 years) in a UK city. An inductive thematic approach was adopted for data analysis, and 4 themes and 12 sub-themes emerged: age-related changes (lower appetite, food changes, declining physical function); food access (food cost, support with food, maintaining independence); on your own (cooking for one, eating alone, shopping for one); and relationship with food (food variety, eating what you want, dieting). These influenced participants’ food acquisition, food preparation and cooking, as well as eating habits. Living alone and its substantial influence, as well as associated social isolation and loneliness, were highlighted in many of the discussions. Given the possible implications for nutritional intake, further work is recommended in this area. Likewise, steps should be taken to improve food access, increase opportunities for commensal eating and, fundamentally, address social isolation and loneliness in the older population.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

On Your Own: Older Adults’ Food Choice and Dietary Habits

2018

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“…The British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (BAPEN) estimated that the cost of care for disease-related malnutrition will exceed £13 billion per year and over half of that will be expended on older adults [ 122 ]. The very old are at increased risk of malnutrition for several reasons, including multimorbidity, polypharmacy, increased hospitalization [ 123 ], financial constraints, reduced mobility, social isolation and the loss of independence [ 124 ]. These health and social factors are coupled with changes in body composition (i.e., loss of lean mass, increase in fat mass, loss of bone density, and fluid and electrolyte dysregulation), decline in taste sensitivity, poor oral health and malabsorption, as reviewed in [ 125 ].…”

Section: Current Understanding Of Nutrition In the Very Old: Insigmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutrition in the Very Old

et al. 2018

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The population of older adults aged 85 years and over (the very old) is growing rapidly in many societies because of increases in life expectancy and reduced mortality at older ages. In 2016, 27.3 million very old adults were living in the European Union, and in the UK, 2.4% of the population (1.6 million) were aged 85 and over. Very old age is associated with increased risks of malnutrition, multimorbidity, and disability. Diet (nutrition) is a modifiable risk factor for multiple age-related conditions, including sarcopenia and functional decline. Dietary characteristics and nutrient intakes of the very old have been investigated in several European studies of ageing to better understand their nutritional requirements, which may differ from those in the young-old. However, there is a major gap in regard to evidence for the role of dietary patterns, protein, vitamin D and other nutrients for the maintenance of physical and cognitive functioning in later life. The Newcastle 85+ Study, UK and the Life and Living in Advanced Age, New Zealand are unique studies involving single birth cohorts which aim to assess health trajectories in very old adults and their biological, social and environmental influences, including nutrition. In this review, we have updated the latest findings in nutritional epidemiology with results from these studies, concentrating on the diet–physical functioning relationship.

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“…Aging often brings decreased social support, networking and interaction, which further augments physical inactivity and detrimental nutrition patterns (69,70).…”

Section: Study Conductmentioning

confidence: 99%

Complex lifestyle intervention among inactive older adults with elevated cardiovascular disease risk and obesity. A mixed-method, single-arm feasibility study for RESTART- a randomized controlled trial

Deraas

Hopstock

Henriksen

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background: Physical inactivity and obesity are global public health challenges. Older adults are important to target for prevention and management of disease and chronic conditions. However, many individuals struggle with maintaining increased physical activity (PA) and improved diet. This feasibility study provides the foundation for the RESTART trial, a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to test a complex intervention to facilitate favourable lifestyle changes older adults can sustain. The primary objective of this study was to investigate study feasibility (recruitment, adherence, side-effects and logistics) using an interdisciplinary approach.Methods: This mixed-method one-year prospective single-arm feasibility study was conducted in Tromsø, Norway from September 2017. We invited by mail randomly selected participants from the 7 th survey of the Tromsø Study (2015-16) aged 55-75 years with sedentary lifestyle, obesity and elevated cardiovascular risk. Participants attended a six-month complex lifestyle intervention program, comprising instructor-led high-intensive exercise and nutritionist- and psychologist-led counselling, followed by a six-month follow-up. All participants used a Polar activity tracker for daily activity monitoring during the intervention. Participants were interviewed three times throughout the study. Primary outcome was study feasibility measures.Results: We invited potential participants (n=75) by mail of which 27 % (n=20) agreed to participate. Telephone screening excluded four participants, and altogether 16 participants completed baseline screening.The intervention and test procedures of primary and secondary outcomes were feasible and acceptable for the participants. There were no exercise-induced injuries, indicating that the intervention program is safe. Participants experienced that the dietary and psychological counselling were delivered too early in the intervention and in too close proximity to the start of the exercise program. Minor logistic improvements were implemented throughout the intervention period.Conclusion: This study indicates that it is feasible to conduct a full-scale RCT of a multi- component randomised intervention trial, based on the model of the present study. No drop-outs due to exercise-induced injury indicates that the exercises were safe. While minor improvements in logistics were implemented during the intervention, we will improve recruitment and adherence strategies, rearrange schedule of intervention contents (exercise, diet and psychology) as well as improving the content of the dietary and behavioural counselling to maximize outcome effects in the RESTART protocol.

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Influences on diet quality in older age: the importance of social factors

Abstract: Background-Poor diet quality is common among older people, but little is known about influences on food choice, including the role of psychosocial factors at this age.

Cited by 55 publications

References 29 publications

On Your Own: Older Adults’ Food Choice and Dietary Habits

On Your Own: Older Adults’ Food Choice and Dietary Habits

Nutrition in the Very Old

Complex lifestyle intervention among inactive older adults with elevated cardiovascular disease risk and obesity. A mixed-method, single-arm feasibility study for RESTART- a randomized controlled trial

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