Is there a link between Persian medicine eating habits and the nutritional status of older adults? A cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundThe physical and physiological changes of shifting into older ages may affect nutritional conditions and lead to malnutrition. ObjectivesThis study aimed to assess the possible relationship between eating habits recommended by Persian medicine (PM) and older adults' nutritional status. MethodsA total of 1259 older adults were included in this study. Data were collected using a three-section questionnaire measuring socio-demographic characteristics, nutritional status according to the short form of the complete Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA-SF), and nutritional habits (NH) consisting of 31 questions based on PM recommendations. ResultsThe mean scores of the subscales of "eating habits" was significantly lower (p = 0.014) and "time of meals" was significantly higher (p = 0.001), in the well-nourished compared to the malnourished group. Furthermore, while a positive correlation was observed between the MNA-SF score and the subscales of "time of meals" (p˂0.001) and "eating and sleeping" (p = 0.033), the subscale of "eating habits" showed a negative correlation (p = 0.019). ConclusionsLifestyle modifications including eating habits and meal timing based on PM recommendations may improve nutritional status in older adults.