Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition and Successful Ageing in Elderly Individuals: The Multinational MEDIS Study

Background: The role of diet and inflammation in successful ageing is not transparent, and as such, is still being investigated. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the inflammatory potential of dietary habits in the successful ageing of a random sample of older adults living in the Mediterranean basin and who participated in the MEDIS (MEDiterranean ISlands) study. Methods: During 2005-2016, 3,128 older adults (aged 65-100 years) from 24 Mediterranean islands and the rural Mani region (Peloponnesus) of Greece were enrolled in the study. A multidimensional successful ageing index consisting of 10 components was employed. A validated and reproducible Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) was used to evaluate the dietary habits of the older adults. A nutrition anti-inflammatory (NAI) score based on the participants' specific dietary habits was assessed. Results: Participants with high NAI scores (proinflammatory nutrition) had a higher prevalence of hypercholesterolemia and lower levels of successful ageing. After adjusting for several confounders, the NAI score was associated with successful ageing (-0.03, 95% CI -0.5 to -0.006). Stratified analysis by gender and advanced age revealed heterogeneity in the NAI score, predicting successful ageing. Conclusions: The inflammatory potential of nutrition was reported as an important factor for successful ageing, suggesting that further research is needed on the role of anti- and proinflammatory dietary habits in healthy and successful ageing.

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Is Parental Longevity Associated With the Cardiovascular Risk and the Successful Aging of Their Offspring? Results From the Multinational MEDIS Study

Angiology ◽

10.1177/0003319716642140 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 68 (2) ◽

pp. 124-131 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Stefanos Tyrovolas ◽

Evangelos Polychronopoulos ◽

Anargiros Mariolis ◽

Suzanne Piscopo ◽

Giuseppe Valacchi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Successful Aging ◽

Mediterranean Islands ◽

Cvd Risk ◽

Related Factors ◽

Aging Index ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Parental Longevity ◽

The Mediterranean Basin

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of parental longevity and parental cardiovascular disease (CVD) history in CVD risk and successful aging of a random sample of older adults living in the Mediterranean basin and who participated in the MEDiterranean Islands (MEDIS) study. During 2005 to 2011, 2663 elders were voluntarily enrolled. A multidimensional successful aging index consisting of 10 components was used. Paternal and maternal longevity was defined as those older participants of whom both parents lived above the age of 90. The burden of CVD-related factors (CVD-RFs) was calculated as the total score of 4 major CVD-RFs (range 0-4). After adjustment, parental longevity was inversely associated with the burden of CVD-RFs ( P = .04). Moreover, parental longevity was positively associated with the older adults’ successful aging score (β-coefficient [95% confidence interval]: .38 [0.06-0.71]). Parent’s long living was revealed as an important factor for successful aging and for reduced CVD risk, suggesting that further research is needed in the genetic predisposition of longevity.

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Lessons from Studies in Middle-Aged and Older Adults Living in Mediterranean Islands: The Role of Dietary Habits and Nutrition Services

Cardiology Research and Practice ◽

10.4061/2011/901651 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 2011 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Stefanos Tyrovolas ◽

Evangelos Polychronopoulos

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Mediterranean Basin ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

The Elderly ◽

Cvd Risk Factors ◽

Mediterranean Islands ◽

Cvd Risk ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

The Mediterranean Basin

Background. Islands in the Mediterranean basin share particular habits and traditions and greater life expectancy than other European regions. In this paper, particular interest has been given to the effect of the Mediterranean diet, as well as nutritional services on CVD risk, on Mediterranean islands.Methods. Published results from observational studies were retrieved from electronic databases (Pubmed and Scopus) and summarized.Results. Prevalence of CVD risk factors is increased. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was moderate, even among the elderly participants. Furthermore, the presence of a dietician was associated with higher adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern and consequently lowers CVD risk.Conclusion. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet is reduced, while the prevalence of CVD risk factors is increasing at alarming rates. Public health nutrition policy has the opportunity to improve the health and quality of life of people living in isolated insular areas of the Mediterranean basin.

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Personality traits predict dietary habits in middle-to-older adults

10.31234/osf.io/28sed ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Sara J Weston ◽

Grant Edmonds ◽

Patrick Hill

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Health Behaviors ◽

Personality Traits ◽

Healthy Eating ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Eating Habits ◽

Emotional Stability ◽

Healthy Foods ◽

Self Rated Health

Personality traits are consistently associated with health behaviors, but little research has examined the role of personality on eating habits among middle-to-older adults. The current study (n = 665) examined the associations between traits and dietary habits and whether healthy eating predicted health at age 60, with the Hawaii Personality and Health Cohort. Eating healthy foods was associated with higher agreeableness, conscientiousness, emotional stability, and openness, and predicted better self-rated health and lower BMI. Eating unhealthy foods was associated with lower agreeableness, conscientiousness, emotional stability, and openness, and predicted lower self-rated health. Results were not moderated by SES.

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Life negative events and depressive symptoms: the China Longitudinal Ageing Social Survey

10.21203/rs.3.rs-15671/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Zhenjie Wang ◽

Hanmo Yang ◽

Pianpian Zheng ◽

Bei Liu ◽

Zhanyuan Guo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Depressive Disorders ◽

Confounding Factors ◽

Negative Events ◽

Social Survey ◽

Chinese Older Adults ◽

Elderly Individuals

Abstract Background Although some studies have reported the association between life negative events and depressive disorders, very limited studies have examined the association between life negative events exposure and depressive symptoms risk among Chinese older adults.Methods : Data were obtained from the China Longitudinal Ageing Social Survey (CLASS) conducted in 2014. General linear regression and logistic regression were used to examine the association between life negative events exposure and depressive symptoms.Results The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 43% among current Chinese old population. Life negative events showed statistical dose-response association with depressive symptoms risk after adjustment for the confounding factors (Ptrend <0.001). Participants who lived in rural areas, without a spouse or live alone were vulnerable to depressive symptoms.Conclusions Life negative events played a risk role of depressive symptoms among Chinese older adults, especially among those in rural areas, females or without a spouse. Our current study is valuable for the development of special prevention depressive symptoms programs among elderly individuals, especially those who have experienced negative events.

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Thinking Outside the Box

Intelligent Technologies for Bridging the Grey Digital Divide ◽

10.4018/978-1-61520-825-8.ch008 ◽

2011 ◽

pp. 111-121

Author(s):

Nancy A. Pachana ◽

Emma E. Poulsen

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Digital Divide ◽

Successful Ageing ◽

Adoption Of Technology ◽

Interpersonal Development ◽

Outside The Box

This chapter aims to examine the adoption of technology by older adults within a framework of current gerontological theories and research. Cognitive, physical, mental and interpersonal development and change later in life will also be described. Two main psychological frameworks for understanding successful ageing are briefly outlined and within these frameworks, the role of technology in enhancing the lives of older adults, regardless of the level at which they incorporate it into their lives, will be discussed. The chapter concludes with suggestions for removing barriers and enhancing uptake of technology for older adults, helping to bridge the grey digital divide.

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Stay Home: Role of Physical Exercise Training in Elderly Individuals’ Ability to Face the COVID-19 Infection

Journal of Immunology Research ◽

10.1155/2020/8375096 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-5

Author(s):

Walid Kamal Abdelbasset

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Immune System ◽

Exercise Training ◽

Physical Exercise ◽

Point Of View ◽

Home Exercise ◽

Mortality And Morbidity ◽

Elderly Individuals ◽

Physical Exercise Training

Recently, the novel coronavirus epidemic occurred in China and spread worldwide to become a global pandemic. COVID-19 is a fatal viral infection causing death, particularly in aged individuals, due to impaired immunity. To date, no intervention is available to prevent COVID-19 and its manifestations. Physical exercise training generally has health benefits, and it assists in the prevention of several chronic diseases. Therefore, this review is aimed at exploring the role of physical exercise training in the face of COVID-19 in older adults and elderly individuals. From this point of view, this review suggests that physical exercise training plays a key role in promoting immune system regulation, delaying immunity dysfunction, reducing circulatory inflammation markers, and preventing sarcopenia and thus could prevent the risk of acquiring COVID-19 infection and reduce the complications of recommended self-isolation in older adults and elderly individuals. Additionally, immunity biomarkers were optimistically demonstrated in older adults following physical exercise training, thereby reducing mortality and morbidity rates. Finally, in accordance with recommendations to stay home and perform self-isolation to prevent the spread of COVID-19, all populations are strongly recommended to practice regular home exercise training at home to promote immune system functioning.

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Older adults' spirituality and life satisfaction: a longitudinal test of social support and sense of coherence as mediating mechanisms

Ageing and Society ◽

10.1017/s0144686x12000633 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 33 (7) ◽

pp. 1243-1262 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

SEAN COWLISHAW ◽

SYLVIA NIELE ◽

KAREN TESHUVA ◽

COLETTE BROWNING ◽

HAL KENDIG

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Life Satisfaction ◽

Sense Of Coherence ◽

Psychological Functioning ◽

Community Sample ◽

Successful Ageing ◽

Positive Role ◽

Over Time

ABSTRACTSpirituality is proposed to be a component of successful ageing and has been shown to predict wellbeing in old age. There has been conceptual discussion of possible mechanisms that link spirituality with positive psychological functioning in older adults, but few empirical examinations of these linking mechanisms over time. The current study examined the role of Antonovsky's Sense of Coherence (SOC) and social support in mediating the effects of spirituality on life satisfaction in older participants over a four-year period. The study used a cross-lagged panel analysis to evaluate longitudinal mediation within a path analysis framework. Results showed that the meaningfulness dimension of SOC mediated the influence of spirituality on life satisfaction over time, suggesting that spirituality may influence older adults' experience and perception of life events, leading to a more positive appraisal of these events as meaningful. Social support was not found to mediate the pathway between spirituality and life satisfaction. This study may be the first to examine the link between spirituality, sense of coherence, social support and wellbeing, as measured by life satisfaction, using longitudinal data from a community sample of older adults. The study provides evidence for the positive role of spirituality in the lives of older people. This is an area that requires further examination in models of successful ageing.

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