Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Original Communication
  • Published:

Population dietary habits and physical activity modification with age

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the present study was to analyse the relation between age and both dietary habits and leisure-time physical activity, and to determine nutrient inadequacy of aged groups in our population.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: A random sample of the 25–74-y-old population of Gerona, Spain.

Subjects: A total of 838 men and 910 women were selected from among the general population according to the 1991 census.

Outcome measures: Analysis of dietary habits, including amount and type of alcohol consumption, and detailed evaluation of leisure-time physical activity.

Results: Nutrient densities of carbohydrates, vitamin B1, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin E, folate, potassium, iron, magnesium, copper, and dietary fiber increased significantly (P<0.05) with age in both genders, whereas an inverse trend was observed for total fat, saturated fatty acids, cholesterol, and sodium. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed a direct association of healthy dietary habits, characterized through a composite dietary score, with age after adjusting for several confounders both in men and women (P<0.001). This score was composed of folate, vitamin C, vitamin E, β-carotene, dietary fibre, cholesterol, saturated fatty acids, and sodium. In all, 29 and 10% of male and female subjects aged 65–74 y, respectively, reported inadequate intakes of six or more of 16 nutrients. Total leisure-time physical activity increased with age in men (P<0.002), and was not different among female age groups.

Conclusion: Dietary behaviours and levels of physical activity spent during leisure time indicate a healthy lifestyle of the aged men and women in the present population. Nutrient inadequacy observed in some aged men and women, however, deserves particular intervention of health-care programmes for this growing part of our society.

Sponsorship: The present work was funded by Grant FIS 94/0539 from the Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria and supported by Grant CIRIT 1999 SGR/00243.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Rent or buy this article

Prices vary by article type

from$1.95

to$39.95

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ainsworth BE, Haskel WL, Whitt MC, Irwin ML, Swartz AM, Strath SJ, O'Brien WL, Basset Jr DR, Schmitz KH, Emplaincourt PO, Jacobs DR & Leon AS (2000): Compendium of physical activities: an update of activity codes and MET intensities. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 32, S498–S504.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Alberti-Fidanza A, Fidanza F, Chiuchiù MP, Verducci G & Fruttini D (1999): Dietary studies on two rural Italian population groups of the Seven Countries Study. 3. Trend of food and nutrient intake from 1960 to 1991. Eur. J. Clin. Nutr. 53, 854–860.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Batty GD (2002): Physical activity and coronary heart disease in older adults. A systematic review of epidemiological studies. Eur. J. Public Health 12, 171–176.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bidlack WR (1996): Interrelationships of food, nutrition, diet and health: the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges White Paper. Am. Coll. Nutr. 15, 422–433.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bijnen FCH, Feskens EJM, Caspersen CJ, Giampaoli S, Nissinen AM, Menotti A, Mosterd WL & Kromhout D (1996): Physical activity and cardiovascular risk factors among elderly men in Finland, Italy, and the Netherlands. Am. J. Epidemiol. 143, 553–561.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bijnen FCH, Feskens EJM, Caspersen CJ, Mosterd WL & Kromhout D (1998): Age, period and cohort effects on physical activity among elderly men during 10 years of follow-up: The Zutphen Elderly Study. J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. 53, M235–M241.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Burt VL & Harris T (1994): The third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey: contributing data on aging and health. Gerontologist 34, 486–490.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Caggiula AW & Mustad VA (1997): Affects of dietary fat and fatty acids on coronary artery disease and total and lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations: epidemiologic studies. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 65 (Suppl), 1597S–1610S.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Casado Marín D (2000): Los efectos del envejecimiento demográfico sobre el gasto sanitario: mitos y realidades. Gac. Sanit. 15, 154–163.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chandra RK, Imbach A, Moore C, Skelton D & Woolcott D (1991): Nutrition of the elderly. Can. Med. Assoc. J. 145, 1475–1487.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Corrêa Leite ML, Nicolosi A, Cristina S, Hauser WA & Nappi G (2001): Nutrition and cognitive deficit in the elderly: a population study. Eur. J. Clin. Nutr. 55, 1053–1058.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Groot CP, Van Den Broek T & Van Staveren W (1999): Energy intake and micronutrient intake in elderly Europeans: seeking the minimum requirements in the SENECA study. Age Ageing 28, 469–474.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Drewnowski A & Warren-Mears VA (2001): Does aging change nutrition requirements? J. Nutr. Health Aging 5, 70–74.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Elosua R, Garcia M, Aguilar A, Molina L, Covas MI & Marrugat J (2000): Validation of the Minnesota leisure time physical activity questionnaire in Spanish woman. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 32, 1431–1437.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Elosua R, Marrugat J, Molina L, Pons S & Pujol E (1994): Validation of the Minnesota leisure time physical activity questionnaire in Spanish men. The MARATHOM investigators. Am. J. Epidemiol. 139, 1197–1209.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • EPIC group of Spain: Agudo A, Amiano P, Barcos A, Barricarte A, Beguiristain JM, Chirlaque MD, Dorronsoro M, Gonzales CA, Lasheras C, Martinez C, Navarro C, Pera G, Quiros JR, Rodriguez M & Tormo MJ (1999): Dietary intake of vegetables and fruits among adults in five regions of spain. Eur. J. Clin. Nutr. 53, 174–180.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferrari AU (2002) Modifications of the cardiovascular system with aging. Am. J. Geriatr. Cardiol. 11, 30–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferro-Luzzzi A, James WP & Kafatos A (2002): The high-fat Greek diet: a recipe for all? Eur. J. Clin. Nutr. 56, 769–809.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gronbaek M (2002): Alcohol, type of alcohol, and all-cause and coronary heart disease mortality. Ann. NY Acad. Sci. 957, 16–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gual A & Colom J (1997): Why has alcohol consumption declined in countries of southern Europe? Addiction 92 (Suppl 1), S21–S31.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hobbs M, Hockey R & Jamrozik K (1992): Review of the benefits of treating hypertension. J. Hum. Hypertens. 6, 427–435.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hu FB & Willett WC (2002): Optimal diets for prevention of coronary heart disease. JAMA 288, 2569–2578.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jensen GL & Rogers J (1998): Obesity in older persons. J. Am. Diet. Assoc. 98, 1308–1311.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jensen GL & Friedmann JM (2002): Obesity is associated with functional decline in community-dwelling rural older adults. J. Am. Geriatr. Soc. 50, 918–923.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Joshipura KJ, Ascherio A, Manson JE, Stampfer MJ, Rimm EB, Speizer FE, Hennekens CH, Spiegelman D & Willett WC (1999): Fruit and vegetable intake in relation to ischemic stroke. JAMA 282, 1233–1239.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kapil U & Bhavna A (2002): Adverse effects of poor micronutrient status during childhood adolescence. Nutr. Rev. 60, S84–S90.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kris-Etherton P, Howard BV, St Jeor S & Bazzare TL (2001): Lyon Diet Heart Study. Benefits of a Spanish-Mediterranean-Style, National Cholestrol Education programm/American Heart Association Step I Dietary Pattern on Cardiovascular Disease. Circulation 103, 1823–1825.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • La Vecchia C, Altieri A & Tavani A (2001): Vegetables, fruit, antioxidants and cancer: a review of Italian studies. Eur. J. Nutr. 40, 261–267.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lasheras C, Fernandez S & Patterson AM (2000): Mediterranean diet and age with respect to overall survival in institutionalized, nonsmoking elderly people. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 71, 987–992.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ludwig DS, Pereira MA, Kroenke CH, Hilner JE, Van horn L, Slattery ML & Jacobs DR (1999): Dietary fiber, weight gain, and cardiovascular disease risk factors in young adults. JAMA 282, 1539–1546.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Marshall TA, Stumbo PJ, Warren JJ & Xie XJ (2001): Inadequate nutrient intakes are common and are associated low diet variety in rural, community-dwelling elderly. J. Nutr. 131, 2192–2196.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Martinez-Gonzalez MA, Fernandez-Jarne E, Martinez-Losa E, Prado-Santamaria M, Brugarolas-Brufau C & Serrano-Martinez M (2002): Role of fibre and fruit in the Mediterranean diet to protect against myocardial infarction: a case–control study in Spain. Eur. J. Clin. Nutr. 56, 715–722.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Masiá R, Pena A, Marrugat J, Sala J, Vila J, Pavesi M, Covas M, Aubó C & Elosua R (1998): High prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in Gerona, Spain, a province with low myocardial infarction disease. J. Epidemiol. Community Health 52, 707–715.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCormack (1997): Undernutrition in the elderly population living at home in the community: a review of the literature. J. Adv. Nurs. 26, 856–863.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McKim WA & Quinlan LT (1991): Changes in alcohol consumption with age. Can. J. Public Health 82, 231–234.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Millen BE, Silliman RA, Cantey-Kiser J, Copenhafer DL, Ewart CV, Ritchie CS, Quatromoni PA, Kirkland JL, Chipkin SR, Fearon NA, Lund ME, Garcia PI & Barry PP (2001): Nutritional risk in an urban homebound older population. The nutrition and healthy aging project. J. Nutr. Health Aging 5, 269–277.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Moreiras-Varela O, van Staveren WA, Amorim Cruz JA, Carbajal A, de Henauw S, Grunenberger F & Roszkowski W (1996): Longitudinal changes in intake of energy and macronutrients of elderly Europeans. Eur. J. Clin. Nutr. 50 (Suppl 2), 67–76.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moreno LA, Sarria A & Popkin BM (2002): The nutrition transition in spain: a European Mediterranean country. Eur. J. Clin. Nutr. 56, 902–1003.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Academies Institute of Medicine: Food and Nutrition Board (2002): Recent reports. Available at: http://www4.nas.edu./iom/iomhome.nsf/Pages/Recently+Released+Reports. Accessed 5 September 2002.

  • Ortega RM, Andres P, Redondo MR, Zamora MJ, López-Sobaler AM & Encinas-Sotillos A (1995): Dietary assessment of a group of elderly Spanish people. Int. J. Food Sci. Nutr. 46, 137–144.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Padro L, Benacer R, Foix S, Maestre E, Murillo S, Sanviçens E, Somoza D, Ngo J & Cervera P (2002): Assessment of dietary adequacy for elderly population based on a Mediterranean model. J. Nutr. Health Aging 6, 31–33.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pate RR, Pratt M, Blair SN, Haskell WL, Macera CA, Bouchard C, Buchner D, Ettinger W, Heath GW, King AC, Kriska A, Leon AS, Marcus BH, Morris J, Paffenbarger RS, Patrick K, Pollock ML, Rippe JM, Sallis J & Wilmore JH (1995): Physical activity and public health: a recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American College of Sports Medicine. JAMA 273, 402–407.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pérez G, Pena A, Sala J, Roset PN, Masiá R, Marrugat J & the REGICOR Investigators (1998): Acute myocardial infarction case fatality, incidence and mortality rates in a population registry in Gerona, Spain, 1990–1992. Int. J. Epidemiol. 27, 599–604.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ritchie CS, Burgio KL, Locher JL, Cornwell A, Thomas D, Hardin M & Redden D (1997): Nutritional status of urban homebound older adults. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 66, 815–818.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schröder H, Covas MI, Marrugat J, Pena A, Alcántara M & Masiá R (2001): Use of a three-day estimated food record, a 72-hour recall, and a food frequency questionnaire for dietary assessment in a Mediterranean Spanish population. Clin. Nutr. 20, 429–437.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • SENECA investigators (1996): Longitudinal changes in the intake of vitamin and minerals of elderly Europeans. Eur. J. Clin. Nutr. 50 (Suppl 2), S77–S85.

  • Serra-Majem L, Santana-Armas JF & Salmona E (2000): Dietary habits and nutritional status in Spain. World Rev. Nutr. Diet. 87, 127–159.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Slavin JL, Jacobs D, Marquart L & Wiemer K (2001): The role of whole grains in disease prevention. J. Am. Diet. Assoc. 101, 780–785.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Small GW (2002): What we need to know about age related memory loss. BMJ 324, 1502–1505.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smithers G, Finch S, Doyle W, Lowe C, Bates CJ, Prentice A & Clarke PC (2001): The national diet and nutrition survey: people aged 65 years and over. Nutr. Food Sci. 3, 133–137.

    Google Scholar 

  • Speizer FE, Colditz GA, Hunter DJ, Rosner B & Hennekens C (1999): Prospective study of smoking, antioxidant intake, and lung cancer in middle-aged women (USA). Cancer Causes Control 10, 475–482.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference intakes, Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine (1997): Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium, Phosphorous, Magnesium, Vitamin D, and Fluoride. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.

  • Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes, Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine (2002): Dietary reference intakes for vitamin A, vitamin K, arsenic, boron, chromium, copper, iodine, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, silicon, vanadium, and zinc. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.

  • Su LJ & Arab L (2001): Nutritional status of folate and colon cancer risk: evidence from NHANES I epidemiologic follow-up study. Ann. Epidemiol. 11, 65–72.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Suboticanec K, Stavljenic A, Bilic-Pesic L, Gorajscan M, Gorajscan D, Brubacher G & Buzina R (1989): Nutritional status, grip strength, and immune function in institutionalised elderly. Int. J. Vitam. Nutr. Res. 59, 20–28.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Trichopoulou A (2001): Mediterranean diet: the past and the present. Nutr. Metab. Cardiovasc. Dis. 11, 1–4.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Trichopoulou A, Lagio P, Kuper H & Trichopoulos T (2000): Cancer and the Mediterranean dietary traditions. Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev. 9, 869–873.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Trichopoulou A, Kouris-Blazos A, Wahlqvist ML, Gnardellis C, Lagiou P, Polychronopoulos E, Vassilakou T, Lipworth L & Trichopoulos D (1995): Diet and overall survival in elderly people. BMJ 311, 1457–1460.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tunstall-Pedoe H, Kuulasama K, Mähönen M, Tolonen H, Ruokokoski E & Amouyel P for the WHO MONICA Project (1999): Contribution of trends in survival and coronary-event rates to changes in coronary heart disease mortality: 10-year results from 37 WHO MONICA Project populations. Lancet 353, 1547–1557.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Visioli F & Galli C (2001): The role of antioxidants in the Mediterranean diet. Lipids 36(Supp l), S49–S52.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wahlqvist ML, Savige GS & Lukito W (1995): Nutritional disorders in the elderly. Med. J. Australia 163, 376–381.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wakimoto P & Block G (2001): Dietary intake, dietary patterns, and changes with age: an epidemiological perspective. J. Gerontol. A. Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. 56, 65–80.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walker RF (2002): Is aging a disease? A review of Serono Symposia Workshop under the auspices of the Third World Congress on the Aging Male. Aging Male 5, 147–169.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Walston J & Fried LP (1999): Frailty and the older man. Med. Clin. North. Am. 83, 1173–1194.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wannamethee SG & Shaper AG (2001): Physical activity in the prevention of cardiovascular disease: an epidemiological perspective. Sports Med. 31, 101–114.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Westerterp KR (2000): Daily physical activity and ageing. Curr. Opin. Clin. Nutr. Metab. Care 3, 485–488.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Willett WC (1990): Nutritional Epidemiology. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilsnack RW, Vogeltanz ND, Wilsnack SC & Harris R (2000): Gender differences in alcohol consumption and adverse drinking consequences: cross-cultural patterns. Addiction 95, 251–265.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yong LC, Brown CC, Schatzkin A, Dresser CM, Slesinski MJ, Cox CS & Taylor PR (1997) Intake of vitamins E, C, and A and risk of lung cancer. The NHANES I epidemiologic followup study. First National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Am. J. Epidemiol. 146, 231–243.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We appreciate the English revision made by Ms Stephanie Lonsdale.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Consortia

Contributions

Guarantor: H Schröder.

Contributors: HS led data analysis and writing of the manuscript. JM, MC, and RE participated the discussion and interpretation of results, and writing of the manuscript. AP, TW, MF, MAV, and RM provided their expertise in data analysis and in interpretation and discussion of results. They made substantial suggestions on the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to H Schröder.

Additional information

REGICOR Investigators: MI Covas, R Elosua, M Fitó, M Gil, JM Manresa, J Marrugat, S Martín, R Masiá, A Pena, G Pérez, I Ramió, I Rolhfs, P Roset, J Sala, M Sentí, J Vila.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Schröder, H., Marrugat, J., Covas, M. et al. Population dietary habits and physical activity modification with age. Eur J Clin Nutr 58, 302–311 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601782

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601782

Keywords

This article is cited by

Search

Quick links