The Effect of Widowhood on Weight Change, Dietary Intake, and Eating Behavior in the Elderly Population

Shahar, Danit R.; Schultz, Richard; Shahar, Avner; Wing, Rena R.

doi:10.1177/089826430101300202

Cited by 107 publications

(101 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Our finding of increased BMI in previously married females however contrasts with other work which reported either no association or decreased weight, particularly in widowed females [28,31]. The association of decreased weight with widowhood in females is independent of age and changes in eating patterns relating to solitude may be responsible [32]. Societies in rural South Africa, in contrast to the high-income countries in which these studies were conducted, may provide for more mechanisms of social support after the death of a partner, reducing the effects of widowhood on eating patterns.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 98%

Sociodemographic, socioeconomic, clinical and behavioural predictors of body mass index vary by sex in rural South African adults-findings from the AWI-Gen study

Wagner

Crowther

Gómez‐Olivé

et al. 2018

Global Health Action

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Background: Despite increasing obesity in South African adults, data on the prevalence and determinants of body mass index (BMI) from rural communities, home to a significant proportion of the population, are scarce. Objectives: To investigate overall and sex-specific determinants of BMI in a rural adult South African population undergoing rapid social and epidemiological transitions. Methods: Baseline cross-sectional demographic, socioeconomic, anthropometric, clinical and behavioural data were collected between 2015 and 2016 from 1388 individuals aged 40–60 years and resident in the Agincourt sub-district of Mpumalanga province, a setting typical of rural northeast South Africa. A Health and Socio-Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) underpins the sub-district and contributes to the Africa Wits-INDEPTH partnership for Genomic Studies (AWI-Gen). Linear regression was used to investigate univariate associations between log-transformed BMI and individual variables and multiple linear regression was used to investigate independent predictors of BMI overall and in sex-stratified analyses. Results: Median BMI was significantly higher in females (28.7 kg/m2[95% CI 24.2–33.2] vs 23.0 kg/m2[95% CI 20.3–26.8];p < 0.001) with male sex associated with 17% lower BMI. In sex-stratified multiple linear regression models, compared to those never married, BMI was 7% higher in currently married males and 6% in currently married females. Current smoking in men and former smoking in women were associated with reductions in BMI of 13% and 26% respectively, compared with non-smokers. Higher educational attainment in women and higher socioeconomic status in men were both associated with higher BMI, while being HIV-positive and alcohol consumption in women were associated lower BMI. Conclusions: Female sex strongly predicts higher BMI in this rural African population. While some predictors of higher BMI differ by sex, married individuals in both sexes had a higher BMI, suggesting that, in addition to developing sex-specific interventions to combat overweight and obesity, targeting married couples may result in reduction in population BMI.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 98%

Sociodemographic, socioeconomic, clinical and behavioural predictors of body mass index vary by sex in rural South African adults-findings from the AWI-Gen study

Wagner

Crowther

Gómez‐Olivé

et al. 2018

Global Health Action

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“…Social withdrawal has been described as a strategy to manage the eating situation when social and cultural codes are unable to be followed (Gustafsson et al, 2003). Although there is no entirely clear link between eating alone and malnutrition, the experience of meals eaten alone, especially among women, is often described as less satisfying (Shahar, Schultz, Shahar, & Wing, 2001;Fjellström & Mattsson Sydner, 2009). However, people suffering from eating difficulties may sometimes benefit nutritionally from eating alone.…”

Section: Eating Difficulties and Experiences Of The Eating Situationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Eating Difficulties, Nutrition, Meal Preferences and Experiences Among Elderly A Literature Overview From a Scandinavian Context

Nyberg¹,

Olsson²,

Pajalić

et al. 2014

JFR

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The risk of malnutrition increases with ageing, resulting in poorer health and higher risk of disease. Eating difficulties are important risk factors for malnutrition. Moreover, independence in relation to food and meals is highly rated by the elderly and has been associated with health and well-being. The purpose of this literature overview was to provide insights into nutritional status, food choice and preferences as well as the meal situations of home-living elderly (65+) people with motoric eating difficulties focusing on Scandinavia. The overall aim is to support independence and to prevent malnutrition. Nutritional status in the elderly was found to be negatively influenced by motoric eating difficulties including problems with manipulating food on the plate and transporting food to the mouth. Motoric eating difficulties may result in practical simplifications such as use of pre-prepared meals, less advanced cooking, and omission of certain meal constituents in order to avoid e.g. mismanagement and spillage. Eating difficulties are often accompanied by feelings of guilt and shame. Choosing smaller portions, reducing the number of eating episodes and not cooking independently have been associated with a higher risk of malnutrition. The nutritional effects of eating difficulties may be exacerbated by diminished chemosensory functions. Furthermore, both past and present food preferences should be considered in order to meet nutritional needs and meal satisfaction. Development of refined and socially accepted eating aids, in combination with tasty and nutritious products, is important in order to promote healthy and independent living among home-living elderly with motoric eating difficulties.

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“…In terms of factors affecting dietary habits as people age, loss of a partner has been indicated as a negative one (17) , especially among men (18) . Among women findings are inconsistent (19) , with some cross-sectional studies showing that dietary habits tend to be better among older couples than single respondents (4) .…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Age, marital status and changes in dietary habits in later life: a 21-year follow-up among Finnish women

Haapala

Prättälä

Patja

et al. 2012

Public Health Nutr.

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Objective: To examine 21-year longitudinal changes in dietary habits and their associations with age and marital status among women aged 50-60 years at baseline. Design: Prospective, longitudinal study of a cohort in the FINMONICA populationbased risk factor survey with clinical assessments in 1982, 1992 and 2003. Dietary habits were assessed via self-reported consumption of foods typically contributing to SFA, cholesterol and sugar intakes in the Finnish diet. A dietary risk score based upon five items was used. Setting: Kuopio region, Finland. Subjects: Complete data from all three assessments for 103 women of the original cohort of 299 were included for two age groups: 50-54 and 55-60 years at baseline. Results: Dietary habits improved between 1982 and 1992 and showed continued but less pronounced improvement between 1992 and 2003: within the younger age group, 78 % of the women reduced the number of dietary risk points from the 1982 to 2003 scores, whereas 3 % increased them and 19 % reported no change. In the older age group these percentages were 61 %, 23 % and 16 %, respectively. Women who remained married showed a steadier decline in dietary risk points than single women or women who were widows at the beginning of the follow-up. Conclusions: Older women make positive changes to their dietary habits but the consistency of these changes may be affected by the ageing process, marital status and changes in the latter.

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The Effect of Widowhood on Weight Change, Dietary Intake, and Eating Behavior in the Elderly Population

Abstract: Widowed people were found to be at increased risk for weight loss. This may well be due to decreased appetite and enjoyment of their meals.

Cited by 107 publications

References 31 publications

Sociodemographic, socioeconomic, clinical and behavioural predictors of body mass index vary by sex in rural South African adults-findings from the AWI-Gen study

Sociodemographic, socioeconomic, clinical and behavioural predictors of body mass index vary by sex in rural South African adults-findings from the AWI-Gen study

Eating Difficulties, Nutrition, Meal Preferences and Experiences Among Elderly A Literature Overview From a Scandinavian Context

Age, marital status and changes in dietary habits in later life: a 21-year follow-up among Finnish women

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