Differences in dietary patterns between older and younger obese and overweight outpatients.
BACKGROUND
Transitions from Mediterranean to Western eating habits has been observed, particularly in young people. Thus little information is available on food patterns consumption in overweight/obese Italian elderly.


OBJECTIVE
To describe dietary patterns in a sample of obese/overweight adults, providing differences between older and younger outpatients.


METHODS
Dietary patterns, anthropometric measurements, obesity onset, history of weight and demographic data were obtained in a retrospective survey, according to age groups (< 35 y, 35-64 y, >or= 65 y) and gender in 395 outpatients.


RESULTS
Main differences in dietary patterns have been observed across age groups. Older outpatients reported higher frequency of consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables, and lower daily consumption of sweet high-fat foods. All the participants reported eating cereals. The frequency of consumption of white meat and fish was higher in the oldest age group. The consumption of moderate amount of red wine at mealtime was common in older male patients only; the frequency of consumption of cheese did not differ across age groups, but compared to normal-weight Italian population was higher in older-aged female.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study provides evidence of two different dietary patterns: a western diet which may have influenced weight gain in the younger patients and an Italian Mediterranean diet in the older ones. Despite its healthy effect, Mediterranean diet style did not prevent older obese patients from additional weight gain. Information on dietary habits may be useful to improve weight management and obesity prevention even in older subjects.
Inelmen
E M
EM
Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche,Universita di Padova, Clinica Geriatrica - Ospedale Giustinianeo 2 piano, Via Giustiniani 2, 35100 Padova, Italy. eminemeral.inelmen@unipd.it
Toffanello
E D
ED
Enzi
G
G
Sergi
G
G
Coin
A
A
Busetto
L
L
Manzato
E
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004032:Diet / Q000639:trends*; D004034:Diet Surveys; D038441:Diet, Mediterranean; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000209:etiology*; D050177:Overweight / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric