Food frequency index as a measure of diet quality in non-frail older adults

Abstract

Aims: The objective of the present work was to identify factors associated with diet quality in non-frail older adults measured with the Food Frequency Index (FFI). Methods: In a cross-sectional survey, data from a qualitative 28-item food-frequency questionnaire was used to calculate the FFI in a sample of 444 adults aged 55 years and older living in Vienna, Austria. Results: A higher FFI, indicating a favorable diet quality, was obtained for women as compared to men, younger and better-educated subjects (p for all < 0.01). Dietary supplement users (p = 0.04) and subjects being physically active (p < 0.01) showed significantly higher FFI scores. Eating difficulties (p = 0.04) and gastrointestinal problems (p = 0.03) were found to be risk factors for poor diet quality as measured with the FFI, whereas the number of prescribed daily medications was not associated with diet quality (p for trend = 0.77). Conclusions: Differences in diet quality are evident in subgroups of non-frail older adults living in Vienna as defined by societal factors, such as education, lifestyle-related factors, such as being physically active and health-related factors, such as oral health. Copyright © 2008 S. Karger AG.