Association of swallowing function and Mediterranean diet adherence among community-dwelling older adults: Results...

Swallowing difficulties may alter food choices and compromise dietary quality in older adults. This cross-sectional study examined the association between self-reported swallowing/eating function and Mediterranean diet adherence among community-dwelling older adults in the Peloponnese, Greece.

Older adults aged >60 years who had been free-living in the Peloponnese for at least five years were recruited. Swallowing/eating function was assessed using the Eating Assessment Tool-10 (EAT-10), with scores ≥3 indicating swallowing difficulties. Dietary intake was evaluated using a validated food frequency questionnaire, and Mediterranean diet adherence was assessed with the MedDietScore. Depressive symptomatology and healthy aging were assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale and Successful Aging Index, respectively.

N = 680 older adults were included and 11.8% had EAT-10 scores ≥3. Compared with participants scoring <3 on the EAT-10, those scoring ≥3 were older (p < 0.001), had lower MedDietScore values (35.5 ± 3.9 vs. 36.7 ± 4.1, p = 0.01), lower median fish (p = 0.023) and fruit (p = 0.012) intake but also lower alcohol intake (p = 0.007). After adjustments for several confounders, EAT-10 ≥ 3 was associated with a 1.55-point lower MedDietScore (b = -1.55 ± 0.51, p = 0.003), while each 5-point higher MedDietScore was associated with 36.8% lower odds of EAT-10 ≥ 3 (OR = 0.632, p = 0.006).

Greater self-reported eating-function impairment was modestly associated with lower Mediterranean diet adherence among community-dwelling older adults. Eating-function screening may support more tailored Mediterranean diet guidance in older adults.