Julie Johannesson1,2,3, Elisabet Rothenberg4, Susanne Gustafsson3,5, Frode Slinde1. 1. 1 Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Sweden. 2. 2 Swedish National Graduate School for Competitive Science on Ageing and Health (SWEAH), Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, Sweden. 3. 3 University of Gothenburg, Centre for Ageing and Health (AgeCap), Sweden. 4. 4 Food and Meal Science, Kristianstad University, Sweden. 5. 5 Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sweden.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: : Frailty is considered highly prevalent among the aging population. Fruit and vegetable intake is associated with positive health outcomes across the life-span; however, the relationship with health benefits among older adults has received little attention. AIM:: The aim was to examine if a relationship exists between meal frequency or frequency of vegetable intake and the development of frailty in a population of older adults. METHODS: : A total of 371 individuals, 80 years or older, from the study 'Elderly Persons in the Risk Zone' were included. Data was collected in the participants' home by face-to-face interviews up to 24 months after the intervention. Baseline data were calculated using Chi2-test; statistical significance was accepted at the 5% level. Binary logistic regression was used for the relationship between meal frequency or vegetable intake and frailty. RESULTS: : Mean meal frequency was 4.2 ± 0.9 meals per day; women seem to have a somewhat higher meal frequency than men (p=0.02); 57% of the participants had vegetables with at least one meal per day. No significant relationship was found between meal frequency or vegetable intake and frailty at 12 or 24 months follow-ups. CONCLUSIONS: : Among this group of older adults (80+), meal frequency was slightly higher among women than men, and just over half of the participants had vegetables with at least one meal a day. The risk of developing frailty was not associated with meal frequency or vegetable intake. The questions in this study were meant as indicators for healthy food habits.
BACKGROUND: : Frailty is considered highly prevalent among the aging population. Fruit and vegetable intake is associated with positive health outcomes across the life-span; however, the relationship with health benefits among older adults has received little attention. AIM:: The aim was to examine if a relationship exists between meal frequency or frequency of vegetable intake and the development of frailty in a population of older adults. METHODS: : A total of 371 individuals, 80 years or older, from the study 'Elderly Persons in the Risk Zone' were included. Data was collected in the participants' home by face-to-face interviews up to 24 months after the intervention. Baseline data were calculated using Chi2-test; statistical significance was accepted at the 5% level. Binary logistic regression was used for the relationship between meal frequency or vegetable intake and frailty. RESULTS: : Mean meal frequency was 4.2 ± 0.9 meals per day; women seem to have a somewhat higher meal frequency than men (p=0.02); 57% of the participants had vegetables with at least one meal per day. No significant relationship was found between meal frequency or vegetable intake and frailty at 12 or 24 months follow-ups. CONCLUSIONS: : Among this group of older adults (80+), meal frequency was slightly higher among women than men, and just over half of the participants had vegetables with at least one meal a day. The risk of developing frailty was not associated with meal frequency or vegetable intake. The questions in this study were meant as indicators for healthy food habits.
Entities:
Keywords:
Aged 80 and older; community dwelling; frailty; meal frequency; vegetable intake