Carbohydrate nutrition variables and risk of disability in instrumental activities of daily living

We aimed to examine the prospective association between dietary glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) of foods consumed, intakes of carbohydrates and fiber, and the ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL) in older adults.

A total of 844 participants from the Blue Mountains Eye Study aged 60 years or older were examined from 2002–2004 to 2007–2009. Dietary information was collected using a validated, semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire. The Older Americans Resources and Services activities of daily living scale were administered to assess the functional status of participants. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed.

After multivariable adjustment, participants who were in the second and third quartiles of energy-adjusted total fiber intake compared to those in the first quartile of intake (reference group) at baseline had reduced risk of incident impaired instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) 5 years later: OR, 0.39 (95% CI 0.22–0.70) and OR 0.54 (95% CI 0.30–0.95), respectively. Analyses that involved dichotomized total fiber intake showed that participants in the upper three quartiles of total fiber intake (> 19 g/day), compared to those in the lowest quartile of intake (≤ 19 g/day) or reference group, had reduced IADL disability risk 5 years later: OR 0.49 (95% CI 0.31–0.79). Non-significant associations were observed with total carbohydrates, GI, and GL and with risk of impaired total and basic ADL at 5-year follow-up.

Habitual fiber consumption might be beneficial in leading to improved health status subserving performance of instrumental daily activities, needed to function in the community.