Comparison of the eating behaviour and dietary consumption in older adults with and without visual impairment

Abstract

Globally, a high prevalence of obesity and undernutrition has been reported in people with visual impairment (VI) who have reported multi-factorial obstacles that prevent them from achieving a healthy diet, such as having restricted shopping and cooking abilities. The present study is the first to investigate the relationship between VI and dietary consumption using a representative sample size, standardised methods to categorise VI and a detailed analysis of dietary consumption. Ninety-six participants with VI and an age-matched control group of fifty participants were recruited from across the UK. All participants were aged 50 years or over. The participants completed a 24-h food recall for a period of 3 d. The participants also answered questions about their abilities to shop for and cook food as well as their knowledge of healthy eating. The participants with VI in this sample consumed significantly fewer energy content and other nutrients than is recommended for their age group and when compared with an age-matched control group. The participants with VI mainly made food choices irrespective of nutritional value. The results of the present study highlight for the first time that a large proportion of older adults with VI in the UK are undernourished. These results suggest local and government-led initiatives should be implemented to support the diets of older adults in the UK, and these initiatives could include healthy eating workshops, café clubs or skills training and rehabilitation.

Snapshot of health-related behaviours in adults living with disabilities 1 year into the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional survey study

“…Existing evidence suggests that prior to the pandemic, unhealthy behaviours were more prevalent in people with disabilities,19–21 32 33 and as a result there was concern that this group would be disproportionately affected by the pandemic 34. This study provides a snapshot of a range of health-related behaviours in people with disabilities compared with people with no disabilities approximately 1 year into the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

“…Prior to the pandemic, associations had been drawn between disability and undernutrition 46. Existing barriers to food preparation20 21 and additional challenges accessing food shopping during the pandemic22 may have contributed to the undereating reported in this group. However, in general, participants in both groups were adhering to healthy dietary habits with most eating breakfast and fruit and vegetables regularly and drinking enough water.…”

“…However, existing evidence suggests that even before the pandemic, people living with disabilities were twice as likely to be physically inactive as people without disability. 19 In addition, disruption to shopping, food preparation and cooking already presented obstacles to a healthy diet for people living with visual impairment, 20 resulting in fewer nutrients being consumed in this group compared with age-matched controls, 21 and a high incidence of malnourishment and obesity. During the pandemic, shielding and reliance on local services or volunteers, long queue times at shops, difficulty securing food delivery slots, 22 and negative impacts on job retention and finances 23 may have further impacted access to food and exercise.…”

Self-reported visual impairment and sarcopenia among older people in Cameroon

“…The current study is the first to provide results on the association between VI and sarcopenia in a SSA population. We found that self-reported VI was independently associated with sarcopenia in our population despite accounting for undernutrition (one of VI consequences and sarcopenia causes 10 ). The underlying mechanisms that may explain the relationship between VI and quality of physical function are not clear 15 .…”

“…One of public health strategies to reduce these risks consists of identifying and controlling the modifiable determinants of physical well-being. It is well known that there is a link between visual impairment (VI) and undernutrition in older people 10 . Undernutrition is a risk factor for sarcopenia and physical frailty 11 – 13 although all causes of these physical impairments are yet to be fully established 2 , 14 – 16 .…”