Current patterns of diet in community-dwelling older men and women: results from the Hertfordshire Cohort Study

摘要

Background: dietary patterns analysis takes account of the combined effects of foods and may be a more meaningful way ofnassessing dietary exposure than considering individual nutrients. Little is known about the dietary patterns of older adults innthe UK.nObjective: to describe the dietary patterns of a population of community-dwelling older men and women and to examinenfactors associated with compliance with these patterns.nSetting and Participants: 3,217 men and women aged 59–73 years who were participants in the Hertfordshire Cohort Study.nMethods: dietwas assessed using an administered food frequency questionnaire; dietary patternswere identified using principalncomponent analysis.nResults: two dietary patterns were identified. The first was characterised by high consumption of fruit, vegetables, oily fishnand wholemeal cereals (‘prudent’ pattern); the second was characterised by high consumption of vegetables, processed and rednmeat, fish and puddings (‘traditional’ pattern). High ‘prudent’ diet scores were more common in women, in men and womennin non-manual classes and in non-smokers (all P < 0.05), whilst high ‘traditional’ diet scores were more common in men, innmen and women who had partners and were associated with higher alcohol consumption (all P < 0.05).nConclusions: we have described large variations in food consumption and nutrient intake amongst older adults that are likelynto have implications for future health. The specific socio-demographic correlates of the dietary patterns provide insights intonthe contexts within which good and poor diets exist, andmay help in the identification of opportunities for dietary intervention.