Factors associated with a healthy diet and willingness to change dietary behavior in older adults at increased risk of dementia

TL;DR

This study explores factors influencing healthy eating in older adults at risk of dementia, finding that motivation and self-efficacy are key.

Contribution

The study identifies specific factors associated with healthy diets in older adults with increased dementia risk, focusing on motivation and self-efficacy.

Findings

Female sex, motivation for healthy eating, and higher self-efficacy were linked to healthier diets.

Most participants were in the maintenance stage of behavior change, followed by contemplation and precontemplation stages.

The study suggests that interventions should focus on improving motivation and self-efficacy to promote healthier eating.

Abstract

Healthy dietary patterns have been linked to reduced risks for cardiovascular diseases and dementia, making nutrition an essential part of a comprehensive approach for dementia prevention. Knowledge about factors associated with a healthy diet in people with increased dementia risk is scarce.

To analyze dietary habits and associated factors in older adults with increased dementia risk in Germany.

We used baseline-data of the AgeWell.de-trial (n = 1001, %female = 52.2, Mage = 69.0, SD = 4.9). Nutrition was assessed using a composite score, comprising 11 components covered by national recommendations for a healthy diet (range = 0–11 points). Linear regressions assessed associations of sociodemographic, social, health-related and psychological factors with consumption of a healthy diet. Further, we assessed stages of change based on the transtheoretical model of behavior change.

Consumption of a healthy diet was moderate (Median = 4, IQR = 2). Female sex (b = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.41, 0.88), higher levels of motivation for healthy eating (b = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.10, 0.34) and higher self-efficacy (b = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.20, 0.46) were linked to a healthy diet. Regarding the stages of behavior change, the majority were in the maintenance stage (45.2%), followed by the contemplation (21.5%) and precontemplation (21.2%) stages.

Results suggest room for improvement regarding a healthy diet in our sample. Lifestyle-based interventions in older adults should be tailored towards current levels of motivation and self-efficacy of participants. Including modules targeting motivation and self-efficacy might help maximize intervention effectiveness.

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