Dairy, fruit, and vegetable intakes and functional limitations and disability in a biracial cohort: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study.
BACKGROUND
Dairy, fruit, and vegetable intakes may be associated with functional limitations and disability through their role in muscle function, osteoporosis, and prevention of the oxidative damage associated with aging and chronic disease.


OBJECTIVE
The associations between dairy, fruit, and vegetable intakes and functional limitations and disability were examined in African Americans and whites (baseline age: 45-64 y; n=9404) in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study.


METHODS
Logistic regression analyses were used to ascertain the associations between usual dairy, fruit, and vegetable intakes obtained at baseline by using a food-frequency questionnaire and lower-extremity function, activities of daily living (ADLs), and instrumental ADLs (IADLs) self-reported approximately 9 y later in models stratified by race and sex.


RESULTS
Baseline dairy, fruit, and vegetable intakes tended to be inversely associated with impaired lower-extremity function, ADLs, and IADLs approximately 9 y later, particularly in African American women. For example, in African American women, baseline dairy intakes were inversely associated with impaired ADLs and IADLs [odds ratio (95% CI): 0.60 (0.40, 0.90) and 0.69 (0.48, 0.98), respectively [corrected] in the 3rd versus the [corrected] 1st tertile of intake (P [corrected] for trend<0.05]. Combined baseline intakes of fruit and vegetables were also inversely associated with impaired lower-extremity function, ADLs, and IADLs [odds ratio (95% CI): 0.67 (0.47, 0.95), 0.52 (0.36, 0.76), and 0.64 (0.45, 0.90), respectively; P for trend<0.05].


CONCLUSIONS
Dairy, fruit, and vegetable intakes may be inversely associated with functional limitations and disability. Further research is needed to ascertain the effect of diet on subsequent functional limitations and disability.
Houston
Denise K
DK
Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
Stevens
June
J
Cai
Jianwen
J
Haines
Pamela S
PS
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D044383:Black People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003611:Dairy Products; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014675:Vegetables; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001741:Black or African American