High quality diets are associated with a reduced risk of major lifestyle diseases including cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity. The defining content of a high quality diet is controversial, but generally includes high intakes of whole grains, micronutrients, essential fatty acids and fibre, as well as and low intakes of sugar, processed fatty acids and processed meats. In addition, high quality diets tend to contain generous intakes of various plant foods, and current recommendation is to consume at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day. However, evidence suggests that many individuals do not manage to consume high quality diets, and in particular, research has identified the elderly as being at risk of being exposed to poor nutrition habits. Because of this researchers are interested in investigating the intakes of elderly individuals in order to ascertain dietary patterns and possible causative factors.
For example, researchers1 have analysed data taken from a survey of 28,566 Canadian elderly (age >65y; from the Canadian Community Health Survey) in order to understand the dietary intakes of the subjects and to assess the impact of socio-economic status on fruit and vegetable consumption. Data from the survey showed that only 47% of the subjects consumed the recommended 5 portions of fruit or vegetables a day, a figure supported by other research. Consumption rates of fruit and vegetables above 5 portions a day were 52% and 39% for women and men, respectively. An association between household income and household education level was found with fruit and vegetable intakes, suggesting that poverty might be associated with poor nutrition. The low quality nutrition of individuals with low household incomes has been reported in other studies, and is likely due to the greater cost of higher quality foods.
Epidemiological studies suggest that fruit and vegetable intake is inversely associated with chronic lifestyle diseases, and the importance of high intakes of such foods cannot be understated. The exact reason why fruits and vegetables are protective of major lifestyle disease is not known, but may relate to the phytonutrients, fibre or vitamins and minerals contained within such foods. In addition, fruits and vegetables may provide high intakes of potassium salts that can neutralise blood pH and decrease bone resorption, thus increasing skeletal mass. A high quality diet containing fruits and vegetables is more expensive than a diet comprising of processed food (here), and this may be the primary factor that causes increased disease rates amongst the poor. Elderly individuals in poverty may be at particular risk because age-related reductions in energy intake and food absorption exacerbates the problem of low quality nutrition.
RdB
