Sociocultural Considerations for Food-Related Quality of Life in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

The prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing substantially in non-White races and ethnicities in the United States. As a part of promoting quality of life in patients with IBD, the optimization of food-related quality of life (FRQoL) is also indicated. It is known that the practices of food avoidance and restrictive eating are associated with a reduced FRQoL in IBD. Gaining insight into sociocultural influences on FRQoL will aid in the provision of culturally competent interventions to improve FRQoL in patients with IBD.

Food-related quality of life among older adults living in community: A multi-factorial approach

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Food-related quality of life (FRQoL) assesses the specific impact of diet, eating behaviors, and food-related anxiety on a person's Health-related quality of life. The food serves a set of purposes that go beyond supplying the basic physiological needs, it also has a hedonic and social dimension. In addition, the relationship between food and health and well-being nowadays is unquestionable. This study aims to investigate the multidimensional aspects of FRQoL by identification the underlying factors associated to it.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study is part of the Pronutrisenior project and included 602 older adults (>65 years old) from Vila Nova da Gaia, Portugal. Data were collected by a questionnaire of indirect application by trained nutritionists in a face-to-face situation. FRQoL was assessed by The Satisfaction with Food-Related Life Scale.

RESULTS

Women, younger individuals and those with inadequate social support network had lower FRQoL. Insomnia and nutritional risk were also related to lower FRQoL.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings should be taken into account in clinical practice in order to optimize the intervention of health professionals, and the groups identified as having lower FRQoL should be given special attention.