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Dietary characteristics associated with abdominal obesity in congregate meal participants
Author(s) -
Porter Kathryn Nicole,
Johnson Mary Ann
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.809.1
Subject(s) - medicine , obesity , meal , waist , abdominal obesity , confounding , environmental health , diabetes mellitus , refined grains , gerontology , food science , endocrinology , whole grains , biology
The purpose of this study was to identify dietary characteristics associated with abdominal obesity in older adults participating in the congregate meal program in northeast Georgia (n = 124, mean age = 75 years, 76% female, 44% African American). Daily servings of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, milk products, â€oesweetsâ€, and salty snacks were assessed and abdominal obesity was defined by waist circumference (51% were obese, 36% had diabetes, 73% had high blood pressure, 31% reported heart disease, 63% reported arthritis, and 23% were food insecure (did not â€oealways have enough money to buy the food you need†). Abdominal obesity was positively associated with the intake of â€oesweets†(rho = 0.24, p < 0.01) and negatively associated with fruit (rho =−0.22, p < 0.01). In regression analyses of the six dietary characteristics, higher intake of â€oesweets†(p < 0.001) and lower intake of fruit (p < 0.01) remained associated with obesity when controlled for potential confounders. These findings suggest that despite receiving monthly group nutrition education and 5 meals/week that meet 1/3 of the RDA, these congregate meal participants may need additional individual nutrition counseling and food assistance to identify and implement ways to improve their dietary choices and weight management strategies. Northeast Georgia Area Agency on Aging