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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #320155

Research Project: Rural Aging Study

Location: Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging

Title: Association of dietary patterns and weight change in rural older adults 75 years and older

Author
item HSIAO, P - Indiana University Of Pennsylvania
item MITCHELL, D - Pennsylvania State University
item WOOD, C - Geisinger Medical Center
item JENSEN, G - Pennsylvania State University
item STILL, C - Geisinger Medical Center
item HARTMAN, T - Pennsylvania State University

Submitted to: Journal of Nutrition in Gerontology and Geriatrics
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/22/2014
Publication Date: 12/5/2014
Citation: Hsiao, P.Y., Mitchell, D.C., Wood, C., Jensen, G.L., Still, C., Hartman, T.J. 2014. Association of dietary patterns and weight change in rural older adults 75 years and older. Journal of Nutrition in Gerontology and Geriatrics. 33(4):357-375. DOI: 10.1080/21551197.2014.959681.

Interpretive Summary: Little is known about the relationship between weight change and dietary patterns (DP) in older adults, especially in those of advanced age (_75 years). We examined the association of DP with obesity and five-year weight change in community-dwelling older adults (n=270; mean±SD age: 78.6±3.9 years). Dietary data were collected from four, random, 24-hour dietary recalls over a 10-month period. Weight change was examined as: (1) 10-pound weight loss; (2) 10-pound weight gain; (3) 10% weight loss; and (4) 10% weight gain. Cluster analysis was used to derive 3DP (‘‘Health-conscious,’’ ‘‘Sweets and dairy,’’ and ‘‘Western’’). Kaplan-Meier plots and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used. About 39% of participants lost at least 10 pounds during follow up. In the unadjusted model, five-year weight loss was not associated with dietary pattern. However, when stratified by gender, females who were characterized by the Sweets and Dairy and the Western DP were three and two times more likely to lose 10 pounds, respectively, compared to those in the Health-conscious DP (P<0.05). These observations suggest that it is appropriate to recommend a Health-conscious DP for women 75 years and older who may be at risk for weight loss.

Technical Abstract: Little is known about the relationship between weight change and dietary patterns (DP) in older adults, especially in those of advanced age (_75 years). We examined the association of DP with obesity and five-year weight change in community-dwelling older adults (n=270; mean±SD age: 78.6±3.9 years). Dietary data were collected from four, random, 24-hour dietary recalls over a 10-month period. Weight change was examined as: (1) 10-pound weight loss; (2) 10-pound weight gain; (3) 10% weight loss; and (4) 10% weight gain. Cluster analysis was used to derive 3DP (‘‘Health-conscious,’’ ‘‘Sweets and dairy,’’ and ‘‘Western’’). Kaplan-Meier plots and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used. About 39% of participants lost at least 10 pounds during follow up. In the unadjusted model, five-year weight loss was not associated with dietary pattern. However, when stratified by gender, females who were characterized by the Sweets and Dairy and the Western DP were three and two times more likely to lose 10 pounds, respectively, compared to those in the Health-conscious DP (P<0.05). These observations suggest that it is appropriate to recommend a Health-conscious DP for women 75 years and older who may be at risk for weight loss.