Age, Allostatic Load, Residential Setting, and Self-Reported Diet Choices Among Older Poles

Area of Science:

• Gerontology and Public Health
• Nutritional Science
• Biomedical Science

Background:

• Allostasis is the body's adaptive response to stress, but chronic stress leads to cumulative physiological damage and increased allostatic load (AL).
• Previous research indicated age, gender, and location influence a ten-factor allostatic load index (ALI) in older Polish adults.
• This study investigates the relationship between estimated ALI and self-reported food intake in older adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if an estimated allostatic load index (ALI) covaries with self-reported food intakes.
• To examine these associations across different age groups, residential settings (rural vs. urban), and genders.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 206 residents of Greater Poland (ages 55-91).
• Data collection included a food frequency questionnaire and assessment of 10 physiological biomarkers for ALI calculation.
• Statistical analyses used chi-square tests and t-tests to compare groups and identify associations.

Main Results:

• Higher red meat and snack consumption were linked to higher ALI in younger participants (55-69 years).
• Low fish and seafood intake was associated with higher ALI in urban residents (Poznan) but not rural residents (Nekla).
• No significant food associations with ALI were found in older participants (70+ years).

Conclusions:

• Allostatic load in older adults is influenced by diet, age, sex, and location.
• Dietary patterns like red meat, snack, fish, and seafood consumption show specific associations with ALI in different demographic groups.
• Findings suggest potential links between diet, AL, and future chronic disease risk, particularly vascular complications.