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The Association between Dietary Patterns and Physical Functioning in Older Adults with and without a History of Cancer

Dorman, Jamie
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1524059729267608

Abstract Details

2018, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Allied Medicine.
Background: Meeting nutritional needs is essential for optimal aging. Dietary intake among older cancer survivors is an important and modifiable health behavior that can positively influence health status and quality of life. Objective/Hypothesis: To identify dietary patterns in older (>50 years) adults with and without a cancer diagnosis, and the associations of these patterns with physical functioning. Methods: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) was used for these analyses. Demographic variables examined were age, race, gender, education, marital status, and household income. Health variables included BMI (kg/m2), general health perceptions, physical functioning, food security and the presence of chronic medical conditions. Dietary patterns were calculated using NHANES’ Automated Multiple Pass Method (AMPM) and the USDA’s Health Eating Index (HEI-2015), which is a validated measure of diet quality. Higher scores indicate healthier eating. Results: Participants (n=46,322) were older (63 years), primarily female (53.5%), white (76.6%), married (65.1%), fully food secure (85.2%), and overweight (BMI=29). Sixteen percent of the sample had a history of cancer. The top three cancers diagnosed were skin (non-melanoma) (45.7%), prostate (37.8%) and breast (26.9%). The mean HEI score for all participants was 53.9. Participants with a history of cancer scored significantly higher on the HEI (54.9) than those without a cancer history (53.7, p=0.041). Regardless of cancer history, a positive association was found between HEI and physical functioning (p= 0.007), indicating that physical functioning was higher among those with healthier dietary patterns. After controlling for demographic and health variables, however, no significant association was present. Conclusions: Cancer survivors over age 50 had better dietary patterns compared to same age adults without a history of cancer. Results may be used to promote adherence to the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and develop interventions utilizing multiple aspects of a healthy lifestyle, such as nutrition and physical activity, in order to fully assess physical functioning and manage chronic conditions to promote successful aging in this high-risk population.
Jessica Krok-Schoen, PhD, MA (Advisor)
Chris Taylor, PhD, RDN, FAND (Committee Member)
Colleen Spees, PhD, MEd, RDN, FAND (Committee Member)
Michelle Naughton, PhD, MPH (Committee Member)
77 p.
Nutrition
diet; nutrition; physical functioning; healthy eating index; NHANES

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Dorman, J. (2018). The Association between Dietary Patterns and Physical Functioning in Older Adults with and without a History of Cancer [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1524059729267608

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Dorman, Jamie. The Association between Dietary Patterns and Physical Functioning in Older Adults with and without a History of Cancer. 2018. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1524059729267608.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Dorman, Jamie. "The Association between Dietary Patterns and Physical Functioning in Older Adults with and without a History of Cancer." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1524059729267608

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.