Association between dietary behavior and mortality among American adults with mobility limitations

Abstract

Background: Limited research has evaluated the relationship between dietary behavior and mortality among those with mobility limitations.

Objective: To examine the association between dietary behavior and mortality in a national sample of American adults with mobility limitations.

Methods: Data from the 2003-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were utilized. Participants were followed through 2011. Based on self-report, analyzed participants included those with mobility limitations (N = 1369). Dietary behavior was assessed from the alternate healthy eating index (AHEI).

Results: For the sample, 108,010 person-months occurred with an all-cause mortality rate of 2.07 per 1000 person-months. Dietary behavior was associated with reduced all-cause mortality risk when expressed both as a continuous variable and binary variable (i.e., meeting dietary guidelines). With regard to the latter, and after adjustments, those meeting dietary guidelines (vs. not) had a 40% reduced hazard of all-cause death (HR = 0.60; 95% CI: 0.38-0.97; P = 0.03).

Conclusion: Among adults with mobility limitations, and thus, who unable to engage in sufficient physical activity, dietary behavior may have survival benefits.

Keywords: Disability; Epidemiology; Mobility limitations; Survival.