Dietary habits in middle age and future changes in activities of daily living - NIPPON DATA80

Almost no studies have investigated the relationship between food intake measured at middle age and future disability.

To examine the association of meat, fish and egg intake with risk of subsequent mortality and/or future decline in activities of daily living (ADL) among the elderly.

The cohort consisted of 2,316 Japanese individuals aged 47-60 at the baseline who were randomly selected throughout Japan and followed up for 19 years from 1980.

Those who ate meat at least once every 2 days were younger, there were more men, daily drinkers, professional workers and urban residents compared to those who ate meat less than once every 2 days. Over 19 years of follow-up, 75 participants became dependent due to impaired ADL. A higher intake of meat was associated with a statistically significant decrease in impaired ADL occurrence (odds ratio = 0.61, 95% confidence intervals 0.38-0.99, p = 0.04). Fish and egg intake were not associated with any difference in impaired ADL occurrence. None of the 3 foods were associated with any changes in mortality.

A higher intake of meat may prevent impaired ADL occurrence, although this was not associated with a lower mortality.