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Session: Timing of Food Intake and Dietary Patterns: Health Implications in Aging Populations (Oral 28)

(OR28-06-24) Adherence to the Alternative Health Eating Index and Planetary Health Diet Index in the New England Centenarian Study

Monday, July 1, 2024

4:48 PM – 5:00 PM CT

Location: W184

Presenting Author(s)

Emma Schluter, MS/MPH (she/her/hers)

Graduate Student
The Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University & School of Medicine, Tufts University
Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Disclosure(s): No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Co-Author(s)

Naglaa H. El-Abbadi, PhD, MPH

Adjunct Lecturer
Tufts University
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
KS

Kyla Shea, PhD

Tufts University
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
PJ

Paul F. Jacques, DSc

Professor
Tufts University
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
SA

Stacy L. Andersen

Section of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, United States
TP

Thomas T. Perls

Section of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, United States
PS

Paola Sebastiani, Ph.D

Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Research Design (BERD) Center at Tufts University
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
AA

Andres V. Ardisson Korat (he/him/his)

Scientist II
Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University (HNRCA)
Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Objectives: Few studies have examined the food intake of older adults for assessment of dietary quality. The purpose of this study was to characterize the diet quality of a subset of New England Centenarian Study (NECS) participants, which consisted of the offspring of centenarians and their spouses (n=463). Diet quality was scored by measuring adherence to two dietary indices: the 2010-Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI) and the Planetary Health Diet Index (PHDI). The AHEI is based on foods and nutrients associated with disease risk, and the PHDI assesses adherence to dietary parameters that simultaneously promote human and planetary health, based on the reference diet from the EAT-Lancet commission.

Methods: Using data from a food frequency questionnaire administered in 2005, we derived a 10-component AHEI, including alcohol (total score 0-100). The PHDI consisted of 15 components (total score 0-140). The overall AHEI and PHDI scores were compared by participant status (centenarian offspring or spouse referent), sex, marital status, and age.

Results: Participants’ age range was 58-100 years (mean 85.7). The mean [interquartile range] AHEI score was 49.7 [41.1-56.8]. We observed the highest mean component scores (out of 10 points) for intakes of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (8.2), followed by polyunsaturated fats (5.6), alcohol (men=5.7; women=5.1), and red meat (5.3). The lowest scores were for intakes of whole grains (2.3) and sugar-sweetened beverages (3.5). The mean PHDI score was 85.6 [77.6-93.6]. The highest component scores were for eggs (9.2), poultry (8.6), and starchy vegetables (8.5). The lowest PHDI component scores were for whole grains (2.3), nuts (2.8), soy foods (0.8 out of 5), and legumes (0.2 out of 5). AHEI scores decreased significantly with age (P=0.0006), but no association was observed for PHDI scores (P=0.14). We did not observe significant differences in total AHEI and PHDI scores by sex, marital status, or participant status (P >0.05).

Conclusions: NECS participants had overall low intakes of whole grains, nuts and legumes according to component AHEI and PDHI scores. AHEI scores decreased with age; however, diet scores did not differ by sex, marital or participant status. Future research should identify the contribution of diet components to centenarians’ lifespan and healthspan.

Funding Sources: USDA, NCATS, NIA, William M. Wood Foundation