Abstract
Diet quality may be a unique target for preventing and managing obesity-related osteoarthritis (OA). Using the Healthy Eating Index-2010 (HEI-2010), this study examined the nutrient intake and diet quality of 400 urban overweight and obese primarily African American older adults with self-reported lower extremity OA. Associations between sociodemographic and health-related factors and diet quality were explored. Participants (mean age 67.8 years, SD 5.9) were included. Habitual dietary intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Nutrient intake and diet quality were calculated from the FFQ. Results indicated that diet quality needs improvement (HEI-2010: 66.3 (SD 10.5)). Age, body mass index, employment (multivariable model only), and OA severity (bivariate model only) were significant predictors of HEI-2010 total score in linear models. Mean intakes for fiber, calcium, and vitamin D were below recommendations, while percentage of calories as total fat exceeded recommendations. These findings can inform future dietary intervention trials and public health messaging for a sub-population at a high risk for obesity-related OA.
Highlights
The population of older adults in the United States (U.S.), adults over the age of65 years, rose dramatically from 35 million in 2000 to 49.2 million in 2016 [1]
Osteoarthritis (OA) is one such condition affecting over 30 million older adults in the U.S, with African
Weight loss has been shown to have a promising effect on OA progression, functional outcomes, and symptom management [9,10], weight loss is difficult to achieve and maintain for most individuals, including African Americans [39]
Summary
65 years, rose dramatically from 35 million in 2000 to 49.2 million in 2016 [1]. This shift in U.S. demographics comes with an increase in the incidence and prevalence of chronic diseases that place a significant toll on an individual’s quality of life as they age as well as on the U.S healthcare system [2]. Americans disproportionately burdened by large joint (i.e., kip, knee) OA [3,4]. This health inequity is largely attributed to higher rates of overweight and obesity among older African American adults [5], Nutrients 2018, 10, 485; doi:10.3390/nu10040485 www.mdpi.com/journal/nutrients. The mechanical theory focuses on the effects of loading and cartilage degradation—the repetitive application of a higher load on large joints (i.e., knee and hip) that leads to the degeneration of articular cartilage and sclerosis of the subchondral bone [7]
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