Social networks are critical social health factors for older adults. This study examined the association between social networks and dietary variety among community-dwelling older adults.

A cross-sectional study, using the dietary variety score (DVS) developed for older Japanese people to assess dietary variety and the Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS-6) to assess social networks.

N City, H Prefecture, Japan.

Community-dwelling older adults aged ≥ 65 years (n 1229).

The LSNS-6 score in the low DVS group was lower than that in the middle and high DVS groups (12·2 ± 5·6 v. 13·4 ± 5·4 and 14·4 ± 5·7, P < 0·001). The population of social isolation (LSNS-6, < 12) in the low DVS group was higher than that in the middle and high DVS groups (43·5 % v. 35·8 % and 31·0 %, P = 0·005). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that the LSNS-6 score was positively correlated with DVS (standardised coefficient, 0·092; P = 0·002). Social isolation was also significantly associated with a low DVS in the multivariate-adjusted logistic analysis model (OR, 1·30; 95 % CI 1·00, 1·68; P = 0·048). Stratified analysis results revealed the LSNS-6 and DVS were significantly associated in participants with the following characteristics: younger age (< 75 years), women and those living with someone.

Social networks were associated with dietary variety; social isolation was related to poor dietary variety among community-dwelling older adults. An association between social networks and dietary variety was observed among young-old older adults, women and those living with someone.

The consumption of various foods is internationally recommended in healthy diet although the association between dietary variety and incident dementia is unknown. We aimed to examine the association between dietary variety and the incidence of disabling dementia in older Japanese adults.

We conducted a prospective cohort study. Dietary variety was assessed based on the Dietary Variety Score (DVS). DVS was assessed by counting the number of ten food components (meat, fish/shellfish, eggs, milk, soyabean products, green/yellow vegetables, potatoes, fruit, seaweed and fats/oils) that were consumed almost daily using a FFQ. Participants were categorised into low (0–2 points), middle (3–4 points) and high (5–10 points) groups based on the DVS. Data on newly diagnosed disabling dementia were retrieved from the public long-term care insurance database. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) with 95 % CI.

Yabu cohort study, Japan.

A total of 4972 community-dwelling adults aged 65 years or older.

During the median follow-up of 6·8 years, 884 participants were newly diagnosed with disabling dementia. After adjusting for confounders, the multivariable-adjusted HR for incident disabling dementia was 0·82 (95 % CI, 0·69, 0·97) for participants in the highest DVS category compared with those in the lowest DVS category (Pfor trend = 0·019).

A higher dietary variety is associated with a reduced risk of disabling dementia in older Japanese adults. These results have potential implications for the development of effective public nutritional approaches to prevent dementia in older adults.

To identify whether picky eating during childhood is associated with dietary intake, weight status and disordered eating behaviour during young adulthood.

A population-based study using data from young adults who responded online or by mail to the third wave of the Project EAT (Eating and Activity in Teens and Young Adults) study in 2008–2009. Participants retrospectively reported the extent to which they were a picky eater in childhood, sociodemographic characteristics, disordered eating behaviours, usual dietary intake, and weight and height.

Participants were initially recruited in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area of Minnesota, USA, in 1998–1999.

The analytic sample included 2275 young adults (55 % female, 48 % non-Hispanic White, mean age 25·3 (sd 1·6) years).

Young adults who reported picky eating in childhood were found to currently have lower intakes of fruit, vegetables and whole grains, and more frequent intakes of snack foods, sugar-sweetened beverages and foods from fast-food restaurants. No associations were observed between picky eating in childhood and young adults’ weight status, use of weight-control strategies or report of binge eating.

While young adults who report picky eating during childhood are not at higher risk for disordered eating, those who were picky eaters tend to have less healthy dietary intake. Food preferences and dietary habits established by picky eaters during childhood may persist into adulthood.

The dietary diversity score (DDS) is a good indicator of diet quality as well as of diet–disease relationships; therefore, the present study was undertaken to reveal the effect of a lifestyle intervention on this index.

A baseline and three evaluation studies were conducted in two intervention districts (Isfahan and Najaf-Abad) and a reference area (Arak), all located in central Iran. The Isfahan Healthy Hearth Programme (IHHP) targeted the entire population of nearly 2 million in urban and rural areas of the intervention communities. One of the main strategies of the lifestyle intervention phase in the IHHP was healthy nutrition. Usual dietary intake was assessed using a forty-nine-item FFQ. A diversity score for each food group was calculated and the DDS was considered the sum of the diversity scores of the food groups.

There were significant increases in DDS in both intervention areas (P = 0·0001) after controlling for confounding factors. There was a significant interaction between area and evaluation stage with regard to DDS (P = 0·0001). The effect of the intervention on the diversity scores of all food groups was also significant (P = 0·0001 for all) after adjusting for socio-economic status.

The community-based lifestyle intervention in the IHHP was successful in improving DDS which might be related to an increase of diet quality of the population that in turn might decrease the risks of chronic diseases.

To investigate the influences of resources and food-related goals on the variety of food choice among older people.

A questionnaire-based survey in eight European countries: Poland, Portugal, United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Italy and Spain.

Participants (n 3200) were above 65 years of age and living in their own homes. The samples were quota samples, eight groups of fifty in each country, based on gender, age and living circumstances, reflecting the diversity of each of the national populations based on education, income and urbanization of living environment.

Hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that income, health status, access to a car and living arrangement affected the level of dietary variety. The perceived level of different food-related resources impacted the consumption of a varied diet over and above actual resource levels. Food-related goals contributed to variety of food intake that was not accounted for by the amount of material resources possessed or the social and other resources perceived to be possessed.

Older people’s variety of food intake depended on material resources (e.g. monthly income, access to a car, living arrangement, physical and mental health). However, in addition to these variables, the way older people perceived other resources, such as their level of appetite, their food knowledge, their perception of the distance to the shops, access to high-quality products, having better kitchen facilities, access to good service providers and support from friends and neighbours, all contributed to how varied a diet they ate.