Religion, Social Support, Food-Related Social Support, Diet, Nutrition, and Anthropometrics in Older Adults

Abstract

Religion is an important aspect of many people's lives, especially for older adults. However, very little data exists about the relationships between religion, food-related social support, diet, nutrition, and anthropometrics in older U.S. adults. Social support may be a possible mechanism for religiondiet/nutrition relationships. This analysis examined these relationships in a sample of 424 older individuals. Religion was related to some dietary behaviors in men, and in dietary behaviors and anthropometrics in women. Religion's relationship with anthropometrics as well as diet in women may have been due to women's greater religiousness and involvement in food acquisition, preparation, and distribution in religious gatherings.

Factors influencing dietary fat intake among black emerging adults

“…Similarly, Watters and Satia (2009) In contrast, some researchers have found a negative relationship between social support and fat intake (Bull, Eakin, Reeves, & Kimberly, 2006;Hart et al, 2007;Kim et al, 2008). For example, Bull et al (2006) found that having greater multi-level support was associated with better dietary behavior scores, lower scores indicate better dietary fat and fiber intake behaviors, with r = -.34 for all levels of support (p < .001) and r = -.299…”

“…In contrast, some researchers have found a positive relationship between social support and fat intake, in that as social support increases so does one's fat intake (Brug, et al 1994;Harcrow, 2010;Kim, McIntosh, Kubena, & Sobal, 2008;Watters & Satia, 2009). Brug and colleagues (1994) examined the relationship between social influence (encouragement to eat a low-fat diet) and fat intake.…”

Predictors of pneumococcal vaccination among older adults with pneumonia: findings from the Community Acquired Pneumonia Impact Study

“…Those who go to church or attend religious outings may be advised to get their immunizations to avoid illness, or have greater opportunity for talking about immunizations than those who do not have this type of social networking. While the relationship between spiritual values and/or religion and vaccination status has not been explored in-depth in the literature [26], some studies have demonstrated a positive relationship between religion and health promoting behaviors such as healthy eating habit [27]. …”

Government Capital, Intimate and Community Social Capital, and Food Security Status in Older Adults with Different Income Levels

“…Older adults may have lost a spouse or partner, limiting their ability to access resources (Amarantos, Martinez, and Dwyer ; Hye‐Cheon Kim et al. ). For older adults, membership in a family and the presence of a spouse enables food provisioning and preparation, encourages regular meals through normative and emotional pressure (McIntosh et al.…”

“…), and regular participation in religious activities have been associated with greater food access (Hye‐Cheon Kim et al. ; Locher et al. ).…”