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Adverse changes in close social ties reduce fruit and vegetable intake in aging adults: A prospective gender-sensitive study of the Canadian longitudinal study on aging (CLSA)
This research examines the relationship between adverse changes in social ties and dietary habits among older adults, utilizing three waves of data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA). The study focuses on middle-aged and older adults (ages 45-85) and assesses the impact of changes in marital status and living arrangements on the frequency of fruit and vegetable (F/V) intake. Using multivariable multilevel logistic regression, the study revealed that adverse changes in close social ties were associated with a decline in healthful eating, particularly among women and men. Notably, women who transitioned to being non-partnered exhibited a 21% increase in the odds of reducing vegetable intake. Moreover, women who became divorced had a 76% higher likelihood of reducing fruit intake. In contrast, women remaining lone-living were less likely to decrease fruit intake. For men, those who became divorced or widowed faced a 91% increase in the odds of reducing vegetable intake. Additionally, non-partnered or widowed men were more likely to reduce fruit intake. Men who transitioned to lone-living or remained co-living also showed increased odds of reducing both vegetable and fruit intake. Overall, the findings indicate that adverse changes in close social ties are linked to less healthful eating patterns among aging adults, with significant gender differences observed. The study underscores the importance of considering social context as a risk factor in public health and nutrition interventions aimed at mitigating gender disparities in dietary habits within the aging population. [NPID: social, widowed, divorced, fruits, vegetables].
Year: 2025
