Comparison of Nutrient Intake Across Different Dietary Patterns in Brazilian Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Dietary patterns are able to capture the complexity of the diet. The present study aimed to compare the nutrient intake across different dietary patterns in Brazilian community-dwelling older adults.

Dietary patterns from 295 (predominantly women, 85%) of Brazilian community-dwelling older adults were identified using principal component analysis, based on a 24 h dietary recall (24HR). The following patterns were identified: the "traditional" pattern (consisting of in natura or minimally processed food); the "modified" pattern (consisting of processed foods, confectionery), and the "snack" pattern (composed of coffee, whole milk, bread, toast, butter, or margarine). Participants were divided into three tertiles according to their scores in each pattern. A comparison of energy and nutrient intake across the tertiles of the three patterns was analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test. Then, the intake of energy and macro and micronutrients were analyzed.

Older adults with higher scores for the "traditional" pattern had significantly higher intakes of total energy, all macronutrients, beta-carotene, vitamin C, E and K, thiamine, pyridoxine, and total folate (p < 0.05). Participants with higher scores for the "modified" pattern had significantly higher intakes of total energy, added sugar, total and animal protein, leucine, arginine, monounsaturated fat, cholesterol, niacin, and pyridoxine; the second tertile had lower vitamin A than the first tertile (p < 0.05). Finally, older adults with higher scores for the "snack" pattern had significantly lower intakes of total and insoluble fiber, animal and vegetable proteins, vitamins (A, E, and K), niacin, and pyridoxine (p < 0.05). The "Traditional" pattern exhibited the most appropriate dietary pattern regarding the availability of essential nutrients, resulting in a better quality of habitual intake and outcomes that are related to health promotion and reduction in the risk of non-chronic issues.

The results reinforce the importance of public policies that encourage the maintenance of the traditional Brazilian dietary pattern, which is in alignment with Brazilian Dietary Guidelines, especially in the older population.