TITLE:
Diversity of eating patterns and obesity in older adults—A new challenge
AUTHORS:
Patricia Moraes Ferreira, Silvia Justina Papini, José Eduardo Corrente
KEYWORDS:
Eating Patterns; General Obesity; Older Adults
JOURNAL NAME:
Health,
Vol.5 No.8C,
August
13,
2013
ABSTRACT: The increase in the
variety of food choices influences the eating patterns of older adults, which
is in turn increases the occurrence of obesity. This study aimed at identifying
eating patterns and their association with obesity in a representative sample
of older adults living in an urban area and registered in the basic health unit
in the city of Botucatu, S?o Paulo, Brazil. This is a cross-sectional study and
data collection took place from March to June of 2011 through the application
of a validated food frequency questionnaire for older adults, a socio-demographic
survey and an anthropometric evaluation. Eating patterns were identified
through principal component analysis. Scores of individual consumption were
divided in tertiles, characterizing as low, moderate or high adherence of the
individuals to each pattern. Logistic regression models were fitted for the
outcomes “general obesity” and “abdominal obesity” and the tertiles of consumption
adjusting by sociodemographic variables. Six eating patterns were identified:
Healthy foods, Snacks and weekend meals, Fruits, Light and whole foods, Mild
diet and Traditional diet. It was found that the adherence to healthy foods
is protective against obesity as well as adherence of snacks and weekend meals
are risk of obesity. Eating patterns and their recognized influence on
obesity comprise an issue that deserves continuous attention in order to
evaluate collectively the eating profile, and develop specific nutritional
guidelines for older adults.