Adherence to Mediterranean Diet and Response to an Exercise Program to Prevent Hospitalization-Associated Disability in Older Adults: A Secondary Analysis from a Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

ObjectivesTo investigate the relationship between Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) adherence and response to an exercise and health education program to prevent hospitalization-associated disability (HAD) in acutely hospitalized older adults.DesignRandomized controlled trial.Setting and ParticipantsSecondary analysis of a subset of 109 participants from AGECAR-PLUS study with available data on MedDiet adherence (mean age 87, and range 75–98).InterventionParticipants were randomized into the control group (n = 46, usual care) or the intervention group (n = 63, supervised exercise and health education) at admission.MeasurementsMedDiet adherence was measured with MEDAS and through urinary total polyphenols (UTP). Functional status was assessed with the Barthel Index.ResultsAt discharge, patients in the intervention group who had low levels of MedDiet or UTP showed an increase in functional status [adjusted mean (95% CI) = 77.8 (70.8–84.8) points, p = 0.005, and adjusted mean (95% CI) = 78.0 (68.3–87.7) points, p = 0.020, respectively].ConclusionOlder individuals over age 75 with low MedDiet adherence were likely to benefit more from a physical exercise and health education intervention.