Western and Mediterranean Dietary Patterns and Physical Activity and Fitness among Spanish Older Adults

Abstract

Objectives: To assess prevailing food patterns, and its association with physical activity and fitness among Spanish older adults. Methods: Cross-sectional study in Spain, collecting data from a sample (n = 380; 54% female) aged 55–80 years (men) and 60–80 years (women) with no previously documented cardiovascular disease. Body weight, body fat and waist circumference were assessed. Physical activity performed was measured using the Minnesota Leisure-time Physical Activity Questionnaire (LTPA). Physical fitness was assessed using a validated physical fitness test battery. Food consumption was assessed by a validated semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire. Factor analysis identified two major dietary food patterns: “Western” (WDP) and “Mediterranean” (MDP) dietary patterns. Results: Participants in MDP’s fourth quartile were classified in the second (men) and third (men and women) tertile of LTPA. After adjusting for age, body fat, waist-to-height ratio, and METs, in both sexes, a negative significant association was found between 30-s Chair stand and 6-min walking test, a positive significant association was found between 30-m Gait speed and 8-foot Time Up-and-Go (except in men) tests with WDP. The 30-m Gait speed test was negatively associated with MDP in men. Conclusions: MDP is associated with more time spent on LTPA, and this association was independent of body composition and a fast gait speed in men. WDP is associated with slower gait speed and lower body strength, agility and aerobic endurance. MDP has protective effect on healthy physical fitness, and WDP may be a contributor to frailty.

Regular Practice of Moderate Physical Activity by Older Adults Ameliorates Their Anti-Inflammatory Status

“…The participants estimated the duration of the activities performed each hour/week by using metabolic equivalents of task (MET, defined as 1 kcal/kg/hour and equivalent to the energy cost of sitting quietly) [ 24 ]. The resulting quantitative MET for each participant were categorized into terciles [ 25 ], and subjects in the first and the third terciles were selected to take part in this study and defined as sedentary and active subjects, respectively.…”

Association between Physical Condition and Body Composition, Nutrient Intake, Sociodemographic Characteristics, and Lifestyle Habits in Older Spanish Adults

“…The sample consisted of 380 participants (54% women) in a cross-sectional study conducted from 2013 to 2014 into two different areas (Balearic Islands, n = 211, and Madrid, n = 169) assessing the effect of lifestyle factors on health of older adults living in Spain [ 15 ]. Men aged between 55 and 80 and women aged between 60 and 80 [ 16 ] were recruited in social and municipal clubs, health centers, and sport clubs.…”

Lifestyle Interventions with a Focus on Nutritional Strategies to Increase Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Heart Failure, Obesity, Sarcopenia, and Frailty

“…Outside of individual nutrients, healthy dietary patterns may help to lessen the severity or delay onset of physical performance and CRF decline in older adults. In a cross-sectional analysis of 380 Spanish adults aged 55-80, higher adherence to a traditional Mediterranean dietary pattern was associated with greater walking distance on the 6MWT, while higher adherence to a Western dietary pattern was associated with a lower 6MWT distance [140]. In 117 individuals with T2DM, those over 75 years of age and in the highest tertile of adherence to the Mediterranean Diet demonstrated greater 6MWT and 10-min walk test distances than those less adherent [141].…”