Association between dietary behavior and mortality among American adults with mobility limitations

Limited research has evaluated the relationship between dietary behavior and mortality among those with mobility limitations.

To examine the association between dietary behavior and mortality in a national sample of American adults with mobility limitations.

Data from the 2003-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were utilized. Participants were followed through 2011. Based on self-report, analyzed participants included those with mobility limitations (N = 1369). Dietary behavior was assessed from the alternate healthy eating index (AHEI).

For the sample, 108,010 person-months occurred with an all-cause mortality rate of 2.07 per 1000 person-months. Dietary behavior was associated with reduced all-cause mortality risk when expressed both as a continuous variable and binary variable (i.e., meeting dietary guidelines). With regard to the latter, and after adjustments, those meeting dietary guidelines (vs. not) had a 40% reduced hazard of all-cause death (HR = 0.60; 95% CI: 0.38-0.97; P = 0.03).

Among adults with mobility limitations, and thus, who unable to engage in sufficient physical activity, dietary behavior may have survival benefits.