Current patterns of diet in community-dwelling older men and women: results from the Hertfordshire Cohort Study.
BACKGROUND
dietary patterns analysis takes account of the combined effects of foods and may be a more meaningful way of assessing dietary exposure than considering individual nutrients. Little is known about the dietary patterns of older adults in the UK.


OBJECTIVE
to describe the dietary patterns of a population of community-dwelling older men and women and to examine factors associated with compliance with these patterns.


METHODS
3,217 men and women aged 59-73 years who were participants in the Hertfordshire Cohort Study.


METHODS
diet was assessed using an administered food frequency questionnaire; dietary patterns were identified using principal component analysis.


RESULTS
two dietary patterns were identified. The first was characterised by high consumption of fruit, vegetables, oily fish and wholemeal cereals ('prudent' pattern); the second was characterised by high consumption of vegetables, processed and red meat, fish and puddings ('traditional' pattern). High 'prudent' diet scores were more common in women, in men and women in non-manual classes and in non-smokers (all P < 0.05), whilst high 'traditional' diet scores were more common in men, in men and women who had partners and were associated with higher alcohol consumption (all P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
we have described large variations in food consumption and nutrient intake amongst older adults that are likely to have implications for future health. The specific socio-demographic correlates of the dietary patterns provide insights into the contexts within which good and poor diets exist, and may help in the identification of opportunities for dietary intervention.
Robinson
Siân
S
The MRC Epidemiology Resource Centre, University of Southampton, MRC Epidemiology Resource Centre, Southampton General Hospital Mailpoint 95, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK. smr@mrc.soton.ac.uk
Syddall
Holly
H
Jameson
Karen
K
Batelaan
Sue
S
Martin
Helen
H
Dennison
Elaine M
EM
Cooper
Cyrus
C
Sayer
Avan Aihie
AA
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D000818:Animals; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004034:Diet Surveys; D002523:Edible Grain; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005399:Fishes; D005502:Food; D005638:Fruit; D016852:Housing for the Elderly; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat; D008875:Middle Aged; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D006113:United Kingdom; D014675:Vegetables