Dietary patterns and psychosocial health status among elderly in West Bengal-India

Abstract

The health and quality of life, of older persons are commonly affected by physiological and psychological changes and concurrent to the changes that occur in their food choices and consumption patterns due to various biological and psychological reasons. Numerous age-related illnesses and ailments can be prevented, mitigated, or alleviated by proper diet and nutrition. Cross-sectional research was done to examine the food choices, and well-being of the elderly. Using stratified random sampling, 114 homebound senior individuals (>60 y) from high, medium, and low socioeconomic strata (SES) in Kolkata were recruited. Data were gathered by the administration of pre-coded questionnaires, including a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, WHO-SRQ depression’ and WHOQOL-BREIF-26 for measuring Quality of Life, and a Lifestyle questionnaire to assess the general lifestyle of participants (physical activity, social activities, etc.). The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, correlations, the chi-square test, and the non-parametric ANOVA test. The results show that dietary preferences, quality of Life, and lifestyle were significantly associated with gender, socioeconomic position, and marital status. The intake of green leafy vegetables was the same across all three SES groups, however the consumption of fruit was lower among low-SES, women, and widows. These groups also had much greater rates of depression than their peers. Dietary diversity was positively connected to healthy lifestyle, and depression was inversely associated. The study reveals that older adults limit themselves to fewer food groups for biological, environmental and psychological reasons. There is a need dietary education and psychosocial support to improve their health and quality of life.

Keywords

• Elderly
• dietary diversity
• depression
• quality of life
• perceived risk