Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
2657717 Journal of the American Dietetic Association 2008 11 Pages PDF
Abstract

BackgroundSeveral nutritional factors, including dietary fatty acids, antioxidants, and folates, have been related to pathological brain aging. Dietary patterns that represent a combination of foods may better predict disease risk than single foods or nutrients.ObjectiveTo identify dietary patterns by a mixed clustering method and to analyze their relationship with cognitive function, depressive symptoms, and self-rated health in older people.DesignCross-sectional population-based study.Subjects/settingSubjects included 1,724 elderly community dwellers living in Bordeaux, France from 2001 to 2002.Statistical analysisCluster analysis, combining hybrid clustering, and research for stable groups during the k-means step on mean number of weekly servings of 20 predetermined food groups, separately in men and women.ResultsFive dietary clusters were identified in each sex. A “healthy” cluster characterized by higher consumption of fish in men (n=157; 24.3%) and fruits and vegetables in women (n=267; 24.8%) had significantly lower mean number of errors to Mini Mental State score after adjustment for socio-demographic variables (β=−0.11; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.22 to −0.004 in men; β=−0.13; 95% CI, −0.22 to −0.04 in women). The same cluster was associated with borderline significance with lower depressive symptoms in women (β=−0.16; 95% CI, −0.33 to 0.007). Men in the “pasta eaters” cluster (n=136; 21%) had higher depressive symptoms (β=0.26; 95% CI, 0.06 to 0.46) and higher risk to report poor health (polytomous regression, odds ratio [OR]=1.91; 95% CI, 1.21 to 3.01) than the “healthy” cluster. Women in the “biscuits and snacking” cluster (n=162; 15%) had greater risk of poor perceived health (OR=1.69; 95% CI, 1.15 to 2.48) compared to “healthy” eaters. Additional adjustment for body mass index and medication use strengthened these associations.ConclusionsSex-specific dietary patterns derived by hybrid clustering method are associated with fewer cognitive and depressive symptoms and better perceived health in older people.

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Life Sciences Agricultural and Biological Sciences Food Science
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