Physical activity and years of healthy life in older adults: results from the cardiovascular health study.

Little is known about how many years of life and disability-free years seniors can gain through exercise. Using data from the Cardiovascular Health Study, the authors estimated the extra years of life and self-reported healthy life (over 11 years) and years without impairment in activities of daily living (over 6 years) associated with quintiles of physical activity (PA) in older adults from different age groups. They estimated PA from the Minnesota Leisure Time Activities Questionnaire. Multivariable linear regression adjusted for health-related covariates. The relative gains in survival and years of healthy life (YHL) generally were proportionate to the amount of PA, greater among those 75+, and higher in men. Compared with being sedentary, the most active men 75+ had 1.49 more YHL (95% CI: 0.79, 2.19), and the most active women 75+ had 1.06 more YHL (95% CI: 0.44, 1.68). Seniors over age 74 experience the largest relative gains in survival and healthy life from physical activity.

Nutrient profiling systems: are science and the consumer connected?

The other articles in this supplement to the Journal presented the science behind 4 nutrient profiling systems currently available in the US marketplace that cross manufacturers and apply to multiple food categories and have considered their value as tools to promote positive behavior change in American consumers. This article discusses these nutrient profiling systems in terms of the consumer's understanding of science, familiarity with label messaging, and potential to facilitate healthy food decisions.

Food insecurity is not associated with lower energy intakes.

We examined the association between food insecurity and total daily energy intakes in American men and women. We estimated the number of daily snacks and meals consumed by individuals in different food security categories. Also, we calculated the energy contribution, energy density, and food group sources of those snacks and meals. Using the 1999-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), we examined the Food Security Survey Module (FSSM) and dietary information from the 24-h recall. Differences in energy intakes between groups were not significant. Women who were food insecure without hunger (FIWOH) and food insecure with hunger (FIWH) had significantly fewer meals than food secure (FS) women. The energy contribution of each meal and the total energy contributed from snacking were both significantly greater for FIWOH women than for FS women. The number of meals was significantly lower whereas the daily number of snacking occasions and the total energy from snacking were significantly increased for FIWOH men relative to FS men. FIWOH men consumed snack foods that had significantly lower energy density than those consumed by FS men. Among men and women, the major sources of meal energy were the grain group, the meat, poultry, and fish group, and the sugar, sweets, and beverages group whereas the major source of snacking energy was the sugar, sweets, and beverages group. Total energy intakes were not different for FI individuals; however, their meal and snack behaviors were different. Focusing solely on total energy intake would miss important consequences of food insecurity.

Healthy Eating Index scores are associated with blood nutrient concentrations in the third National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey.

OBJECTIVES: The Healthy Eating Index (HEI) is a summary measure of dietary quality, based on a 100-point scale. Our objectives were to assess the HEI as a measure of dietary status through its correlation with nutritional biomarkers and to identify those biomarkers most associated with diet quality and healthful food intake patterns. DESIGN: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III, 1988-94. SUBJECTS: Adults (> or =17 years) with calculated HEI scores and blood nutrient data (n=16,467). STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Weighted crude and partial Pearson correlation coefficients (r) between HEI scores and blood nutrients were calculated. Geometric mean blood nutrient concentrations were calculated for five HEI score categories (ranging from < or =50 to >80). RESULTS: HEI score was positively correlated with serum (r=0.25) and red blood cell (r=0.27) folate, serum vitamins C (r=0.30) and E (r=0.21), and all serum carotenoids except lycopene (r=0.17 to 0.27). These blood nutrient concentrations were 21% to 175% higher for participants in the highest HEI score group (>80) compared with those in the lowest group (< or =50). Mean HEI scores were significantly (P<.0001) greater among the 42% of participants who took dietary supplements. Most correlations were attenuated when adjusted for additional factors. CONCLUSIONS: HEI score is correlated with a wide range of blood nutrients; the strongest relationships are with biomarkers of fruit and vegetable intake. These results are an important step in the validation of the HEI, emphasizing its potential as a tool for nutrition and health studies.

The nutrient and anthropometric status of physically active and inactive older adults.

OBJECTIVE: To assess nutrient intake, anthropometrics, and biochemical indicators in physically active and inactive older adults. DESIGN: A cross-sectional sample of older adults who participated in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988-94, was divided into two groups based on activity level. PARTICIPANTS/SETTING: A national sample of men (n = 1876) and women (n = 2009) 65 years of age and older who reported diet and exercise information and were medically examined. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Association of activity level with nutrients, anthropometrics, and biochemistries. ANALYSIS: Means were calculated for each of the variables observed by activity category. T tests were used to determine if the differences in the means were statistically significant at P <.05. RESULTS: Older adults reported intakes of food energy, calcium, magnesium, and zinc below recommendation. Nutrient intakes and anthropometrics for active and inactive women were similar; those for active and inactive men differed significantly for many nutrients and for anthropometrics associated with activity. CONCLUSIONS ANS IMPLICATIONS: Inadequate intakes of food energy and micronutrients are of concern because of the metabolic stresses associated with activity. Future research is needed to determine the impact of increased physical activity on nutrient needs and body composition in the elderly.