Nutrient intake in relation to central and overall obesity status among elderly people living in the Mediterranean islands: The MEDIS study

• Published in: Nutrition, metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases, 2011-06, Vol.21 (6), p.438-445
• Main Authors: Tyrovolas, S, Psaltopoulou, T, Pounis, G, Papairakleous, N, Bountziouka, V, Zeimbekis, A, Gotsis, E, Antonopoulou, M, Metallinos, G, Polychronopoulos, E, Lionis, C, Panagiotakos, D.B
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; carbohydrates; Cardiovascular; Central obesity; Cross-Sectional Studies; diabetes; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - complications; Diet; Dietary Carbohydrates; eating habits; Elderly; Energy Intake; Epidemiology; Female; females; Glycemic Index; Greece - epidemiology; Humans; hypercholesterolemia; Hypercholesterolemia - complications; hypertension; Hypertension - complications; Interviews as Topic; Life Style; lifestyle; Male; males; Mediterranean Islands - epidemiology; men; Nutrient intake; nutrients; Obesity; Obesity - complications; Obesity - epidemiology; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Socioeconomic Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; vegetable protein; Vegetable Proteins - administration & dosage; women
• ISSN: 0939-4753; 1590-3729
• DOI: 10.1016/j.numecd.2009.10.012

Abstract Background and Aim The aim of the present work was to evaluate the relationship between energy-generating nutrients and the presence of central and overall obesity after correcting for socio-demographic, lifestyle and clinical characteristics, among healthy elders. Methods and Results During 2005–2007, 553 elderly men and 637 elderly women (mean age 74 ± 7 years) from eight Mediterranean islands in Greece and Cyprus, were enrolled. The retrieved information included demographic, bio-clinical and dietary characteristics. MedDietScore assessed adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern. The prevalence of obesity was 27% in males and 39% in females ( p < 0.001), while 73% of males and 87% of females had central obesity. The prevalence of diabetes, hypercholesterolemia and hypertension was higher in the obese than in the non-obese participants ( p < 0.01). After adjusting for various confounders, a 1% increase in carbohydrate consumption was associated with a 12% (95% CI 0.78–0.99) lower likelihood of having central obesity, while a 1% increase in carbohydrate and protein consumption was associated with a 14% (95% CI 0.78–0.95) and 16% (95% CI 0.72–0.97) lower likelihood of being obese, respectively. Vegetable protein was found to be associated with a 15% (95% CI 0.77–0.93) lower likelihood of being obese while, only low glycemic index carbohydrates seem to be associated with a 6% (95% CI 0.90–0.98) lower likelihood of having central obesity. Conclusions The presented findings suggest that a diet high in carbohydrates and vegetable protein is associated with a lower likelihood of being obese and may help elderly people to preserve normal weight.