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Title: ATTITUDES TOWARD DIET OF OLDER ADULTS IN THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI DELTA (LMD)ARE NOT ALWAYS CONSISTENT WITH DIETARY INTAKE

Author
item JOHNSON, GLENDA - DELTA NIRI
item MCGEE, BERNESTINE - DELTA NIRI
item GOSSETT, JEFF - DELTA NIRI
item McCabe Sellers, Beverly
item SIMPSON, PIPPA - DELTA NIRI
item Bogle, Margaret

Submitted to: Journal of Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/5/2004
Publication Date: 4/2/2005
Citation: Johnson, G.S., Mcgee, B., Gossett, J., McCabe Sellers, B.J., Simpson, P., Bogle, M.L. 2005. Attitudes toward diet of older adults in the Lower Mississippi Delta (LMD) are not always consistent with dietary intake [abstract]. Journal of Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. 19(5):A1700.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Diet of older persons living in rural communities is especially important given their greater vulnerability to health disparities. This study examined dietary attitudes and quality in a representative sample of 561 adults, ages 55+, living in the LMD. Food intake obtained from 24-hr dietary recalls was analyzed using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI). Participants with positive attitudes toward importance of fruit and vegetable intake had higher fruit (4.2 vs 2.9) and cholesterol (7.6 vs 6.0) scores than participants with negative attitudes; meat scores (6.8 vs 7.6) were lower than participants with negative attitudes, respectively, P<0.001. The attitude that variety was important was reflected by better HEI scores for variety, grain, vegetable and dairy. High fiber scores had corresponding higher (7.6 vs 6.5) cholesterol but lower (6.8 vs 7.6), P<0.001 meat scores. Belief that maintaining a healthy weight is important did not affect diet. With HEI scores below desired 8-10 levels, improvement is needed in translation of positive attitudes to dietary choices. Food availability, costs, culture and dietary modification may underlie the differences in this subpopulation. Supported by USDA, ARS Project #6251-53000-004-00D.