Journal article
Adherence to a Mediterranean Diet is associated with physical and cognitive health: A cross-sectional analysis of community-dwelling older Australians
Frontiers in Public Health, Vol.10, pp.1-12
2022
PMCID: PMC9709195
PMID: 36466491
Abstract
Poor cognitive function is associated with reduced functional independence, risk of institutionalization and reduced health-related quality of life. The ability to independently perform instrumental activities of daily living (iADLs) is compromised in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia. Emerging evidence suggests that adherence to a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet), may play an important protective role against cognitive decline and dementia risk, whilst preserving functional status. This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the independent associations between MedDiet adherence, cognitive risk, and functional status in community-dwelling older adults living in Australia. MedDiet adherence was assessed using the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS); a modified Lawton's iADL scale was used for the assessment of functional status and risk of cognitive impairment was assessed using the AD8 dementia screening intervention. A total of n = 294 participants were included in the final analyses (70.4 ± 6.2 years; Females, n = 201; Males, n = 91; n = 2 unspecified). Adherence to a MedDiet was positively associated with functional ability (β = 0.172; CI: 0.022, 0.132; P = 0.006) independent of age, gender, Body Mass Index (BMI), smoking status, sleep duration, physical activity duration, diabetes status, and level of education. Furthermore, MedDiet adherence was inversely associated with cognitive risk (β = −0.134; CI: −0.198, −0.007; P = 0.035) independent of all covariates. However, our sensitivity analyses further showed that adherence to a MedDiet was not associated with cognitive risk in older adults free from cognitive impairment. We showed that adherence to a MedDiet is associated with healthy physical and cognitive aging. Nevertheless, exploration of these findings in larger cohorts, using longitudinal analyses and controlling for important confounders to ascertain the direction of the relationship is warranted.
Details
- Title
- Adherence to a Mediterranean Diet is associated with physical and cognitive health: A cross-sectional analysis of community-dwelling older Australians
- Authors
- Lisa Allcock (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - LegacyEvangeline Mantzioris (Author) - University of South AustraliaAnthony Villani (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
- Publication details
- Frontiers in Public Health, Vol.10, pp.1-12
- Publisher
- Frontiers Research Foundation
- Date published
- 2022
- DOI
- 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1017078
- ISSN
- 2296-2565
- PMID
- 36466491; PMC9709195
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2022 Allcock, Mantzioris and Villani. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health - Nutrition & Dietetics; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99688998802621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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