Comparison of energy and nutrient intake with dietary guidance recommendations for older adults in rural communities and its relationship with oxidative stress levels: A latent class analysis study

Abstract

Abstract Background The level of oxidative stress in the human body is related to diet and nutrient intake, and it is the common pathogenic mechanism of chronic diseases. Understanding the nutrient intake status and its relationship with oxidative stress is beneficial for addressing elder’s nutritional issues in the context of aging. This study aimed to describe the status of energy intake and intake of different nutrients and their relationship with oxidative stress through latent class analysis. Methods We invited 376 older residents from 3 rural communities to complete a questionnaire survey and collect blood samples in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China, between April and August 2021. The participants completed questionnaires regarding their general characteristics, and dietary status, and venous blood was collected to detect biomarkers of oxidative stress. Latent class analysis was employed to identify distinct energy and nutrient intake group subgroups. Results The results revealed three classes, “imbalanced nutrient—high energy” (37.50%, imbalanced in intake of energy and nutrients with high energy and protein intake), “sufficient nutrient—low energy and protein” (18.35%, sufficient and balanced intake of other nutrients except for energy and protein), and “low nutrient” (44.15%, low intake of energy and various nutrients). Among the oxidative stress biomarkers, imbalanced nutrient—high energy had higher value than did the other classes for 8-iso-PGF2α; sufficient nutrient—low energy and protein valued higher than imbalanced nutrient—high energy and low nutrient classes for SOD. Conclusion Oxidative stress can be measured based on the different energy and nutrient intake classes and their predictors.