Relationship between diet-related indicators and overweight and obesity in older adults in rural Japan

To identify the relationship between diet-related indicators and overweight and obesity in older adults in rural Japan.

Cross-sectional survey.

Obira, Hokkaido, Japan.

Local residents aged between 65 and 74 years, except for those with poor health, were included.

A health- and diet-related questionnaire was applied to participants house-to-house by trained health professionals.

The following indicators were examined: number of meals, number of balanced meals, food diversity, food group diversity, chewing ability, alcohol intake habit, smoking habit, instrumental activities of daily living scores, age, and residing alone or with family.

Of 550 residents, 317 residents completely responded to the questionnaire. Of these, 41 were had low body mass index (BMI≤20) and were excluded. This resulted in a sample of 307 subjects comprising 117 men and 190 women; 37.6% and 46.8% of men and women were classified as obese (BMI≥25), respectively. Women with a normal BMI (20

The associations between dietary indicators and obesity differed by sex. Food diversity may be a potential indicator to measure nutritional status in women.