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Psychological attributes predict dietary pattern transitions in older adults: evidence from a national longitudinal study on healthy aging
The relationship between dietary patterns and overall health is especially significant for older adults. This research delves into the often-overlooked role that psychological factors play in modifying these patterns over time.
The primary objective was to identify distinct dietary pattern classes among older Chinese adults and to investigate the predictive power of anxiety and cognitive function for dietary transitions. Utilizing longitudinal data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey, the analysis incorporated a cohort of 3,181 older individuals with an average age of 81.11 years at the start (T1, 2014) and 84.97 years at the follow-up (T2, 2018).
Through latent transition analysis (LTA), the study identified four unique dietary categories: mono-diet, vegetarian diet, high-protein diet, and diversified diet. Notably, these classifications remained stable from T1 to T2. The analysis revealed that participants adhering to a diversified diet exhibited lower anxiety levels and better cognitive function than those in the other dietary categories at both time points.
Furthermore, the longitudinal findings indicated that both anxiety and cognitive function significantly influenced the transition between dietary patterns. In essence, the study underscores the importance of psychological attributes in shaping dietary behaviors among older adults, suggesting that interventions aimed at improving mental health may enhance healthy eating practices, ultimately benefiting the aging population. [NPID: Anxiety, dietary patterns, healthy aging, cognitive function, latent transition analysis]
Year: 2026
