Location: Food Surveys Research Group
Project Number: 8040-10700-001-005-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 20, 2021
End Date: Sep 19, 2026
Objective:
A demographic transformation caused by a rapidly aging population is happening in the United States. Adults 65 years and older, many who will have a higher risk of chronic disease, will increase from 15 percent of the populations today to 21 percent by 2030, increasing the demand for health care (1). The objective of this research is to study the dietary and nutritional status of older adults and the elderly and investigate the relationship of dietary intakes on health. The study will investigate the role of food and beverages consumed by older adults and the elderly in human health, primarily related to biological indicators of chronic disease outcomes including hypertension, diabetes, and obesity and to dietary recommendations in the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and nutrient recommendations in the Dietary Reference Intakes. Dietary supplement use will also be included to assess total nutrient intake from foods, beverages, and dietary supplements. The study will also involve investigation of food and beverage choices including but not limited to nutrient composition, portion sizes, eating patterns, timing of eating, food sources, and social aspects related to dietary intakes. All analyses will explore results of this population subgroup within the context of race/ethnicity and income status. The primary data source for the study will be What We Eat in America, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and related resources and health measures. The Cooperator has expertise in human nutrition research of adults and the elderly and dietary patterns associated with chronic disease of this population subgroup.
1. U.S. Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2018/03/graying-america.html
Approach:
Dietary intake data of adults and the elderly from What We Eat in America, NHANES will be analyzed to understand the foods and beverages consumed and the dietary patterns of this population subgroup. Analysis will also assess biochemical measures collected in NHANES related to dietary intakes and chronic disease. Prominent foods and beverages consumed will be identified and will be analyzed for nutrient content, food source, such as if home-prepared or if from a restaurant establishment. Evaluation and assessment will be conducted on these foods and beverages to assure that questions in the AMPM and nutrients and characterizations of the items in FNDDS reflect intakes of this population subgroup. Research results will be reported in the scientific literature.
