# Socioeconomic Status and Associations with Nutrition in Icelandic Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Results from the AGES-Reykjavik Study

## TL;DR

This study finds that older adults in Iceland with lower socioeconomic status are less likely to eat healthy foods, highlighting the need for targeted nutritional support to reduce health disparities.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into nutrition inequalities among older adults in Iceland and their implications for meeting Sustainable Development Goals.

## Key findings

- Low SES older adults are less likely to consume vegetables, fruit, and other healthy foods.
- Higher SES is associated with greater alcohol intake.
- Low SES individuals are less likely to meet nutritional guidelines, risking vitamin D insufficiency.

## Abstract

Objectives: The growing proportion of older adults underscores the importance of healthy aging. Maintaining good nutrition and physical activity are crucial for sustaining health. However, research on aging inequalities suggests that individuals with lower socioeconomic status (SES) may be at higher risk for inadequate nutrition. The study examined associations between SES and nutrition in older community-dwelling adults in Iceland and whether the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are being met in Iceland. Methods: Data from the AGES-Reykjavik study were used, and SES was grouped into four categories (low, medium-low, medium-high, and high), derived from education and occupation. Descriptive statistics were used to examine differences between groups, and logistic regression was used to explore associations with food and drink consumption. Results: Older adults with low SES were less likely to frequently consume vegetables, fruit, cod or saithe liver oil/pills, oatmeal or muesli, and cultured milk products, and they were less likely to meet nutritional guidelines. Higher SES was associated with greater alcohol intake. Conclusions: Older adults with low socioeconomic status are less likely to consume healthy food products than those with higher SES. As these individuals live independently, the findings highlight the need for targeted nutritional prevention and support to reduce health disparities, including potential risks such as insufficient vitamin D intake. Furthermore, the results suggest that the SDGs related to nutrition are not being met in Iceland, warranting monitoring and policy action.