HLFVF Dietary Pattern Might Decrease the Risk of Multiple Chronic Diseases Among Older Adults

Abstract

Abstract Background: The prevalence of multiple chronic diseases among older adults is as high as 36.1%, posing a risk to their well-being and imposing a financial burden on them. Optimal dietary patterns have a positive effect on multiple chronic diseases. This study aimed to determine the influences of dietary patterns on multiple chronic diseases among older adults. Methods: Dietary food consumption was assessed through two non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls. The presence of multiple chronic diseases was assessed based on the existence of hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, sleep disorders, diabetes, moderate or severe depressive symptoms, and cognitive impairment, with two or more of these conditions being considered. Latent class analysis was used to identify types of multiple chronic diseases, and two-step cluster analysis was used to determine individual dietary patterns. Logistic regression analysis with robust standard errors was conducted to determine the associations between dietary patterns and types of multiple chronic diseases. Results: 3Three dietary patterns (HLFVF, HGS-LMFF, and HME-LGS) and three types of multiple chronic diseases (LdHoElcf, LsHo, and HsLo) were identified. Individuals following the HLFVF dietary pattern had a 59% lower risk of developing LdHoElcf multiple chronic diseases than those following the HME-LGS dietary pattern (OR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.27–0.64, P < 0.001) and a 66% lower risk of developing LsHo multiple chronic diseases than those following the HGS-LMFF dietary pattern (OR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.14–0.87, P < 0.05). Discussion: The HLFVF dietary pattern may serve as a healthy dietary pattern to reduce the risk of multiple chronic diseases and should be promoted among the older adult population.