Positive perception of aging is a key predictor of quality-of-life in aging people

OBJECTIVE

We conducted a cross-sectional survey in France in a cohort over 55 years of age to characterize the impact of psychological dimensions on quality-of-life (QoL).

METHODS

The predictors of QoL in relation with aging were studied using an adapted quality-of-life model, based on emotional, cognitive and physical symptoms, functional status, and general health perception. Adding psychological dimensions such as self-esteem, psychological distress, perceptions of ageing and coping, was hypothesized to improve the QoL model. Responses were analyzed using structural equation modeling and path analysis.

RESULTS

The study involved 258 participants, mean age 66.9±7.9 years. Psychological distress and positive perception of aging exhibited the strongest direct impact on QoL (p<0.0001). Psychological distress also appeared to be mediator on QoL for perceived health status, self-esteem and negative perception of aging. Coping centred on emotion exhibited direct impact on self-esteem and so, indirect impact on QoL (p = 0.0002). Perception of personal financial situation (p = 0.0007) and coping centred on social support (p = 0.02) appeared as direct mediators influencing QoL.

CONCLUSIONS

Psychological dimensions are predictors of QOL and have to be taken into account to maximize the resources with a view to successful aging. Further interventions targeting successful aging should focus on positive perception aging.

Fruit form Influences Postprandial Glycemic Response in Elderly and Young Adults

OBJECTIVES

This study compared the effects of consuming different forms (bite size, puree) and two fruit types (guava, papaya) on glycemic response (GR) in elderly and young adults.

DESIGN

This study was conducted using a randomized, crossover design.

PARTICIPANTS

Nineteen healthy participants (9 elderly, 10 young adults) were recruited from the general public in Singapore.

INTERVENTION

Participants consumed glucose (reference food) on three occasions and test fruits (guava bites, guava puree, papaya bites, and papaya puree) on one occasion each.

MEASUREMENTS

Blood glucose was analyzed prior to consuming the test food, at 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 minutes after food consumption.

RESULTS

The incremental area under the blood glucose response curve (iAUC) over 120 minutes for all the treatments was significantly lower than glucose (all P < 0.001). All fruit forms and types studied were low glycemic index (GI) (guava bites: 29; papaya bites: 38; papaya puree: 42; guava puree: 47), albeit a significant difference in GI between the treatments was found (P = 0.003). Elderly exhibited significantly greater GR than young participants (P = 0.019).

CONCLUSION

Although fruit form influences GR in the elderly and young adults, all fruit types and forms studied were found to be low GI. This study indicates that fruits are a valuable source of nutrient irrespective of the form of delivery in elderly and young adults. This study was registered at www.anzctr.org.au as ACTRN12614000655640.

Skeletal muscle mass and body fat in relation to successful ageing of older adults: The multi-national MEDIS study

BACKGROUND

The determinants that promote successful ageing still remain unknown. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the role of skeletal muscle mass and body fat percentage (BF%), in the level of successful ageing.

METHODS

during 2005-2011, 2663 older (aged 65-100 years) from 21 Mediterranean islands and the rural Mani region (Peloponnesus) of Greece were voluntarily enrolled in the study. Appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM), skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) and BF% were calculated using population formulas. Dietary habits, energy intake, expenditure and energy balance were derived throughout standard procedures. A successful ageing index ranging from 0 to 10 was used.

RESULTS

The mean ASM mass was 24±6.0kg, the SMI was 0.84±0.21 and the BF% was 44%. Females had lower SMI and higher BF% in comparison with males, respectively [(SMI: 0.66±0.09 vs. 1.03±0.11; BF%: 51% vs. 34%, (p<0.001)]. High successful agers had better rates in ASM (p=0.01), SMI (p<0.001) and BF% (p<0.001), compared with the medium and low successful ones. Changes in SMI [b-coefficient (95% CI):2.14 (1.57 to 2.71)] were positively associated with successful ageing, while changes in BF% [b-coefficient (95% CI): -0.04 (-0.05 to -0.03)] were inversely associated with successful ageing. Results from sensitivity analysis showed that the effects of variations on body composition were consistent, less pronounced in the positive energy balance group and more pronounced among the oldest old.

CONCLUSIONS

Body composition changes seem to be associated with lower quality of life in the older adults, as measured through successful ageing.

A Healthy Dietary Pattern at Midlife, Combined with a Regulated Energy Intake, Is Related to Increased Odds for Healthy Aging

BACKGROUND

Few studies have investigated the long-term impact of overall dietary patterns (DPs) on healthy aging (HA), and current findings are inconsistent.

OBJECTIVE

Our study's objective was to investigate the association between empirically derived DPs in midlife and HA after 13 y of follow-up.

METHODS

Baseline dietary data from repeated 24-h dietary records (on average, 10 records per participant) of a subsample of the SU.VI.MAX (SUpplémentation en Vitamines et Minéraux AntioXydants) study allowed extraction of 2 DPs with the use of principal components analysis on 37 food groups. HA was assessed in 2007-2009 among 2796 participants of the SU.VI.MAX study aged 45-60 y at baseline (1994-1995), who were initially free of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. HA was defined as not developing any major chronic disease, good physical and cognitive functioning, no limitations in instrumental activities of daily living, no depressive symptoms, no health-related limitations in social life, good overall self-perceived health, and no function-limiting pain. The association between DPs (in tertiles) and HA was evaluated by using multivariable logistic regression, and a potential interaction with energy intake was investigated.

RESULTS

A "Western" and a "healthy" DP were identified. After adjustment for a large number of potential confounders, there was no significant association between the Western DP and HA. Moreover, the healthy pattern was not associated with HA among subjects with high (i.e., greater than or equal to the median) energy intake. Among subjects with low (i.e., less than the median) energy intake, on the other hand, higher scores on the healthy DP were related to higher odds of HA (OR for tertile 3 vs. tertile 1: 1.49; 95% CI: 1.11, 2.00; P-trend = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Adherence to a healthy diet in midlife that provides micronutrients, fiber, and antioxidants while regulating energy intake may help to promote HA.