A U.S. study published in Public Health Nutrition and reported by News-Medical examined more than 5,000 people over the age of 60 and identified five different dietary patterns among older adults.
The study is based on data from the U.S. health survey NHANES collected between 2013 and 2018.
Some participants mainly ate vegetables, fish, and yogurt, while others consumed diets high in processed foods, alcohol, and pastries.
Researchers found major differences in both health and living conditions between the groups.
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Healthy food brings benefits
According to the study, people whose diets were rich in vegetables and fish generally had better health and fewer problems accessing food. They also had the highest overall diet quality.
In contrast, poorer diets were often linked to obesity, smoking, and lower income levels.
Researchers point out that financial difficulties and physical limitations can make it challenging for older adults to buy and prepare healthy meals.
Soft foods
The most common diet type among participants consisted of soups, smoothies, and other soft foods.
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This group had a lower intake of protein and energy than the other participants.
Researchers believe this particular group may be especially vulnerable to malnutrition and muscle loss.
At the same time, they were more likely to have poorer health and face a greater risk of food insecurity.
Older adults’ diets are not only about personal choices, but also about access to food, financial resources, and physical ability.
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Sources: Medical News Today and Public Health Nutrition.
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This article is made and published by Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk, who may have used AI in the preparation.