Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-2brh9 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-23T17:09:17.721Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Activity Limitation and Food Intake in Community-Living Seniors*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

Heather H. Keller ,
Truls Ostbye ,
Elizabeth Bright-See  and
M. Karen Campbell
Heather H. Keller
Affiliation:
University of Guelph
Truls Ostbye
Affiliation:
The University of Western Ontario
Elizabeth Bright-See
Affiliation:
The University of Western Ontario
M. Karen Campbell
Affiliation:
The University of Western Ontario
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which functional ability was associated with dietary intake in community-living seniors with some activity limitation. In this cross-sectional survey, 145 seniors were recruited from 15 recreation, day programs or seniors' apartment complexes. Dietary intake was assessed with a food frequency questionnaire and evaluated for adequacy with a Diet Score. An Activity Score was derived from 15 questions on basic and instrumental activities of daily living. Demographic, health, psychosocial, functional and behavioural factors that could influence diet intake were measured with standardized, validated scales. Diet Score was significantly and positively associated with income, hearing, education, satisfaction with use of time, number of medications and age. Activity Score, the belief that health affects activity level, shopping behaviour and smoking were negatively and significantly associated with Diet Score. Many factors influence the dietary intake of seniors, including extent of functional limitations. This analysis suggests that the most dependent seniors living in the community consume better diets than those seniors with few limitations; this finding is probably a result of informal and formal support services for these functionally dependent seniors.

Résumé

Cette étude visait à déterminer dans quelle mesure la capacité fonctionnelle est liée à l'ingestion alimentaire chez les aîné(e)s vivant dans la communauté et dont les activités sont restreintes. L'étude transversale a permis d'observer 145 aînés recrutés dans 15 programmes récréatifs, centres de jour ou ensembles d'habitations. On a évalué l'ingestion alimentaire au moyen d'un questionnaire sur la fréquence de l'alimentation “(Diet Score)” et on en a mesuré la précision par un système de pointage. On a établi le pointage des activités (“Activity Score”) au moyen de 15 questions sur les activités de base et instrumentales de la vie quotidienne. On a mesuré au moyen d'échelles standardisées et validées, les facteurs démographiques, psychosociaux, fonctionnels ainsi que les facteurs de santé et de comportement pouvant influer sur l'ingestion alimentaire. Le pointage de l'alimentation est dans une large mesure, et de façon positive, relié au revenu, à l'ouïe, à l'éducation, à la satisfaction sur l'utilisation de son temps, à la quantité de médicaments consommée et à l'âge. Le pointage de l'activité, la croyance que la santé influe sur le degré d'activité, les habitudes de magasinage et la consommation du tabac se relient fortement, et de façon négative au pointage de l'alimentation. L'analyse laisse entendre que les aînés les plus dépendants qui vivent dans la communauté ont une meilleure alimentation que les aînés dont les activités sont moins limitées. Il est possible que la cause en soit attribuable aux supports formel et informel dont les aînés dépendants bénéficient.

Keywords

Dietary IntakeSeniorsActivity Limitations.Ingestion alimentaireAînésRestriction des activités.
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 18 , Issue 1 , printemps/Spring 1999 , pp. 47 - 63
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 1999

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Andresen, E.M., Carter, W.B., Malmgren, J.A., & Patrick, D.L. (1994). Screening for depression in well older adults:Evaluation of a short form of the CES-D. Am J Prev Med, 10, 77–84.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Badley, E.H., Yoshida, K., Webster, G., & Stephens, M. (1993). Ontario Health Survey 1990: Working Paper No. 5 Disablement and chronic health problems in Ontario. Toronto, ON: Ontario Ministry of Health.Google Scholar
Bertozzi, B., Barbisoni, P., Franzoni, S., Rozzini, R., Frisoni, G.B., & Trabucchi, M. (1996). Factors related to length of stay in a geriatric evaluation and rehabilitation unit. Aging Clin Exp Res, 5(3), 170–175.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bianchetti, A., Rozzini, R., Carabellese, C., Zanetti, O., & Trabucchi, M. (1990). Nutritional intake, socioeconomic conditions and health-status in a large elderly population. J Amer Geriatrics Soc, 38, 521–526.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Block, G., Hartman, A.M., Dresser, C.M., Carroll, M.D., Gannon, J., & Gardner, L. (1986). A data-based approach to diet questionnaire design and testing. Am J Epidemiol, 124(3), 453–469.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Block, G., Wood, S.M., Potosky, A., & Clifford, C. (1990). Validation of a self-administered diet history questionnaire using multiple diet records. J Clin Epi, 43, 1327–1335.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Branch, L.G., & Jette, A.M. (1981). The Framingham Disability Study: I Social desirability among the aging. Am J Pub Health, 71, 1202–1210.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Brewer, E.R., Kassim, N., Cronin, F.J., Dennis, B.H., Kuczmarski, R.J., Haynes, S., & Graves, K. (1987). Food group system of analysis with special attention to type and amount of fat methodology. J Am DietAssoc, 87, 584–592.Google ScholarPubMed
Bright-See, E., Jazmaji, J., & Benda, C.A. (1986). Computerized food and nutrient calculation for research. J Can Diet Assoc, 47, 14–20.Google Scholar
Chandra, R.D., Imbach, A., Moore, C., Skelton, D, & Woolcott, D. (1991). Nutrition of the elderly. CMAJ, 145, 1475–1487.Google ScholarPubMed
Crichton, A. & Hsu, D. (1990). Canada's health care system: Its funding and organization. Ottawa: Canadian Hospital Association.Google Scholar
Davies, L. (1990). Socioeconomic, psychological and educational aspects of nutrition in old age. Age Ageing, 19, S37–S42.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Davis, M.A., Murphy, S.P., Neuhaus, J.M., & Lein, D. (1990). Living arrangements and dietary quality of older U.S. adults. J Am Diet Assoc, 90, 1667–1672.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Desjardins, B. (1993). Population ageing and the elderly: current demographic analysis. Ottawa, ON: Statistics Canada.Google Scholar
Donovan, U.M., Clemens, R., Kosky, S., & Payne, J. (1996). The Thames Valley Food Security Survey. London, Ontario: Middlesex-London Health Unit.Google Scholar
Ensrud, K.E., Nevitt, M.C., Yunis, C., Cauley, J.A., Seeley, D.G., Fox, K.M. et al. (1994). Correlates of impaired function in older women. J Amer Geriatrics Soc, 42, 481–489.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Fillenbaum, G.G. (1988). Multidimensional functional assessment of older adults: The Duke Older Americans Resources and Services Procedures. Hillsdale, NJ: L. Erlbaum Assoc.Publishing.Google Scholar
Finn, S.C., & Wellman, N.S. (1993). Presidents page: The Nutrition Screening Initiative — an emerging force in public policy. J Amer Diet Assoc, 93, 822.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Galanos, A.N., Pieper, C.F., Cornoni-Huntley, J.C., Bales, C.W., & Fillenbaum, G.G. (1994). Nutrition and function: is there a relationship between body mass index and the functional capabilities of community-dwelling elderly? J Amer Geriatrics Soc, 42, 368–373.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gray-Donald, K. (1995). The frail elderly; meeting the nutritional challenges. J Am Diet Assoc, 95, 538–540.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gray-Donald, K., Payette, H., & Boutier, V. (1994). Evaluation of the dietary intake of homebound elderly and the feasibility of dietary supplementation. J Am CollNutr, 13, 277–284.Google ScholarPubMed
Guthrie, H.A., Scheer, J.C. (1981). Validity of a dietary score for assessing nutrient adequacy. J Am DietAssoc, 78, 240–245.Google ScholarPubMed
Health and Welfare Canada. (1992). Canada' food guide to healthy eating (Cat.H39–253/11–1992E). Ottawa: Minister of Supply and Services.Google Scholar
Hosmer, D.W., Lemeshow, S. (1989). Applied logistic regression. Toronto: John Wiley & Sons.Google Scholar
Howarth, C.C., (1989). Socio-economic status and dietary habits in the elderly: Results from a large, random survey. J Hum Nutr Diet, 2, 173–183.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Howarth, C.C. (1993). Validity of a short food frequency questionnaire for estimating nutrient intake in elderly people. Br J Nutr, 70, 3–14.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Incalzi, A.R., Capparella, O., Gemma, A., Porcedda, P., Raccis, G., Sommella, L., & Carbonili, P.U. (1992). A simple method of recognizing geriatric patients at risk for death and disability. J Am Geriatrics Soc, 40, 34–38.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Keller, D.M., Kovar, M.G., Jobe, J.B., & Branch, L.G. (1993). Problems eliciting elders' reports of functional status. J aging Health, 5, 306–318.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kleinbaum, D.G. (1994). Logistic regression: A self-learning text. New York: Springer-Verlag.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mahajan, K.H., & Schäfer, E. (1993). Influence of selected psychosocial factors in dietary intake in the elderly. J Nutr Elderly, 12, 21–41.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
McDowell, I., & Newell, C. (1987). Measuring health: A guide to rating scales and questionnaires. New York: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Mclntosh, W.A., Kubena, K.S., Walker, J., Smith, D., & Landmann, W.A. (1990). The relationship between beliefs about nutrition and dietary practices of the elderly. J Am DietAssoc, 90, 671–676.Google Scholar
Medeiros, L.C., Shipp, R., & Taylor, D.T. (1993). Dietary practices and nutrition beliefs through the adult life cycle. J Nutr Educ, 25, 201–204.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mowe, M., & Bohmer, T. (1996). Nutrition problems among home-living elderly people may lead to disease and hospitalization. Nutr Rev, 54(1), S22–S24.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Murphy, S.P., Davis, M.A., Neuhaus, J.M., & Lein, D. (1990). Factors influencing the dietary adequacy and energy intake of older Americans. J Nutr Educ, 22, 284–291.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nygaard, H.A., & Albrektsen, G. (1992). Risk factors for admission to a nursing home. Scan J Prim Health Care, 10, 128–133.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ontario Ministry of Health. (1992). Ontario health survey user's guide Vol 1. Documentation. Toronto, ON: Ontario Ministry of Health.Google Scholar
Payette, H., Gray-Donald, K., Cyr, R., & Boutier, V. (1995). Predictors of dietary intake in a functionally dependent elderly population in the community. Am J Pub Health, 85, 677–683.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pfeiffer, E. (1975). Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire for the assessment of organic brain deficit in elderly patients. J Amer Geriatrics Soc, 23, 443–447.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Prohaska, T., Mermelstein, R., Miller, T., & Jack, S. (1993). Functional status and living arrangements. Vital Health Stat, 3, 23–39.Google Scholar
Rakowski, W. & Hickey, T. (1992). Mortality and the attribution of health problems to aging among older adults. Am J Public Health, 82, 1139–1141.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Shapiro, E., & Tate, R. (1985). Predictors of long term care facility use among the elderly. Canadian Journal on Aging, 4(1), 11–19.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Statistics Canada. (1992). Age, sex and marital status. Cat. No. 93–310. Ottawa: Ministry of Supply and Services.Google Scholar
Sullivan, D.H., Martin, W., Flaxman, N., & Jagen, J.E. (1993). Oral health problems and involuntary weight loss in a population of frail elderly. J Am Geriatrics Soc, 41, 725–731.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Suyama, Y., & Itoh, R. (1992). Multivariate analysis of dietary habits in 931 elderly Japanese males: smoking, food frequency and food preference. J Nutr Elder, 12(2), 1–12.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Tucker, K.L., Dallae, G.E., & Rush, D. (1992). Dietary patterns of elderly Boston-area residents defined by cluster analysis. J Am Diet Assoc, 92, 1487–1491.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Walker, D., & Beauchene, R.E. (1991). The relationship of loneliness, social isolation and physical health to dietary adequacy of independently living elderly. J Am DietAssoc, 91, 300–304.Google ScholarPubMed
Wallace, J.I., Schwartz, R.S., LaCroiz, A.Z., Uhlmann, R.F., & Pearlmann, R.A. (1995). Involuntary weight loss in older outpatients: incidence and clinical significance. J Am Geriatrics Soc, 43, 329–337.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
White, J.V. (1994). Risk factors for poor nutritional states. Prim Care, 21, 19–31.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Willett, W.C., Sampson, L., Stampfer, M.J., Rosner, B., Bain, C., Witschi, J., et al.(1985). Reproducibility and validity of a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Am J Epidemiol, 122, 51–65.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed