Social Network Factors Affect Nutrition Risk in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: Results from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging

Abstract

Objectives: To determine which social network, demographic, and health-indicator variables are associated with (nutrition risk) scores at two time points, three years apart, using data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging.Design: A retrospective cross-sectional study.Setting and participants: 17051 Canadians aged 45 years and older with data from baseline and rst follow-up of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging.Measurements: Nutrition risk was measured using SCREEN-8. Social network factors included social network size, frequency of contact with social network members, social participation, social support, self-rated social standing, and household income. Demographic variables included age, sex assigned at birth, marital status, educational attainment, and living situation (alone or with others). Health-indicator variables included depression, disability, and self-rated general health, mental health, healthy aging, and oral health. Multivariable linear regression was used to analyze the relationship between the social network, demographic, and health-indicator variables and SCREEN-8 scores at two time points, three years apart.Results: Among the social network variables, social participation, self-rated social standing, and social support were predictors of SCREEN-8 scores at baseline and follow-up. Among the demographic variables, marital status was a predictor of SCREEN-8 scores at both time points. For the health-indicator variables, depression, self-rated general health, healthy aging, and oral health were predictors of SCREEN-8 scores at both time points. Age was a predictor of SCREEN-8 scores at baseline, but not at follow-up.Conclusion: Individuals with low social participation, low social standing, and low social support may be at increased nutrition risk and should be proactively screened by healthcare professionals. Interventions and community programs designed to increase levels of social participation and foster social support may help to reduce the prevalence of nutrition risk.psychosocial mechanisms that include the provision of social support, social engagement and attachment, and access to resources and material goods (15).Many social factors are associated with nutrition risk and food intake (16). For example, eating with others improves dietary intake and reduces nutrition risk (16). Some studies have also found that social support helps reduce nutrition risk ( 16), likely because individuals with increased social support have greater assistance with food-related activities, such as meal preparation and grocery shopping (16). However, most studies have examined individual social factors in isolation, while our study seeks to examine many social factors through the lens of Berkman and colleagues' social network theory (15).Focusing on the mezzo and micro levels of this social network theory (15), our study aims to determine what social network characteristics and psychosocial mechanisms, collectively referred to as social network factors, predict nutrition risk scores at two time p...

Social Factors Associated With Nutrition Risk in Community-Dwelling Older Adults in High-Income Countries: Protocol for a Scoping Review

“…The results of the review are anticipated to aid in identifying individuals who should be screened proactively for nutrition risk by identifying the social factors associated with increased risk. If the literature shows that certain social factors are consistently associated with increased nutrition risk, then screening programs can target individuals who reflect those social factors, for example, individuals with low levels of social support [ 17 , 22 ], low levels of social participation [ 3 , 17 ], or those who are socially isolated [ 3 , 11 , 22 , 38 ].…”

“…Many social factors are associated with nutrition risk in older adults in the literature [ 16 , 17 ]. These include, but are not limited to, social network type (restricted, diverse, family-focused, friend-focused, etc), living arrangement (alone or with others), social support (emotional, informational, tangible, and affectionate support), social engagement (engagement in social activities with others), and social participation (participation in community activities) [ 3 , 17 - 19 ]. It is well-established that eating with others improves dietary intake and reduces nutrition risk [ 16 ], whereas eating alone is associated with high nutrition risk [ 16 , 20 ].…”

“…An individual’s social support system may also encourage healthy behaviors, such as consuming adequate amounts of nutrient-rich foods [ 21 ]. Studies have found that social support helps reduce nutrition risk [ 17 ], whereas low levels of social support are associated with increased nutrition risk [ 22 ]. Individuals with higher levels of social support may have greater assistance with food-related activities, such as meal preparation and grocery shopping [ 16 ].…”

Association between oral condition and subjective psychological well-being among older adults attending a university hospital dental clinic: A cross-sectional study

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Nutrition for Older Adults: Nourishing Body AND Soul

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