Epidemiological study: Correlation between diet habits and constipation among elderly in Beijing region.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate correlations between diet and prevalence of constipation among elderly people in Beijing.


METHODS
A total of 2776 (≥ 60 years) were selected in Beijing region for investigation. Data regarding constipation and diet habits was collectedviahierarchical status, segmentation and random cluster sampling. Investigation included constipation-related demographic indicators and diet habits. Door-to-door questionnaires and surveys included daily staple food intakes, frequency of fish, egg, fruits and vegetables consumption. Constipation was defined according to the China Chronic Constipation Diagnosis and Treatment Guideline (2013), with the following constipation judgment indicators: decreased defecation frequency, dry and hard stool, and difficulty in defecation.


RESULTS
The prevalence of constipation among elderly people in Beijing region was 13%. There was a positive correlation between prevalence of constipation and age, but negative correlations between prevalence of constipation and staple food, fish and dietary fibres (fruits and vegetables) intakes. These differences were all statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of elderly constipation in Beijing region is closely related to diet habits, and is significantly decreased by high staple foods intake, fish eating and high dietary fibres (fruits and vegetables) consumption.
Xiao-Jiao Yang, Amanda Gabriel, McGill University, 845 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0G4, Canada.
Xiao-Jiao
XJ
Yang
Xiao-Jiao Yang, Amanda Gabriel, McGill University, 845 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0G4, Canada.
Mei
M
Zhang
Xiao-Jiao Yang, Amanda Gabriel, McGill University, 845 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0G4, Canada.
Hong-Ming
HM
Zhu
Xiao-Jiao Yang, Amanda Gabriel, McGill University, 845 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0G4, Canada.
Zhe
Z
Tang
Xiao-Jiao Yang, Amanda Gabriel, McGill University, 845 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0G4, Canada.
Dan-Dan
DD
Zhao
Xiao-Jiao Yang, Amanda Gabriel, McGill University, 845 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0G4, Canada.
Bang-Yi
BY
Li
Xiao-Jiao Yang, Amanda Gabriel, McGill University, 845 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0G4, Canada.
Amanda
A
Gabriel
D000368:Aged; D000068476:Beijing; D002681:China; D003248:Constipation / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003710:Demography; D004032:Diet; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005260:Female; D005396:Fish Products; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010063:Ovum; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014675:Vegetables
Constipation; Diet; Elderly; Epidemiology; Factors; Prevalence