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Survival beyond age 70 in relation to diet
L C de Groot1, W A van Staveren, J Burema
1Department of Human Nutrition, Wageningen Agricultural University, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Nutrition Reviews
|July 1, 1996
Summary
Adhering to the traditional Greek Mediterranean diet significantly reduces mortality by 17% per unit increase in diet score for individuals over 70. This dietary pattern favorably impacts life expectancy in the elderly population.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Nutritional Science
- Public Health
Background:
- The Mediterranean diet is associated with numerous health benefits.
- The Greek variant of the Mediterranean diet emphasizes specific food groups and preparation methods.
- Life expectancy in elderly populations is a significant public health concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between adherence to the traditional Greek Mediterranean diet and overall survival in elderly individuals.
- To quantify the impact of dietary patterns on mortality risk in men and women over 70 years of age.
Main Methods:
- A dietary score was developed based on eight key characteristics of the traditional Greek diet.
- The study population comprised men and women over 70 years of age.
- Overall survival data was analyzed in relation to the dietary score.
Main Results:
- A significant inverse relationship was observed between adherence to the Greek diet score and overall mortality.
- Each unit increase in the diet score was associated with a 17% reduction in overall mortality.
- The findings were consistent across elderly men and women.
Conclusions:
- Closer adherence to the traditional Greek Mediterranean diet is favorably associated with increased life expectancy in the elderly.
- Dietary interventions promoting the Greek Mediterranean diet may be a viable strategy to enhance longevity in older adults.
- Further research could explore the specific components of the Greek diet responsible for these survival benefits.