Assessment of the dietitian's influence on the dietary habits of older adults living in Greek Islands and Cyprus. Issue 1 (21st August 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tyrovolas, Stefanos; Polychronopoulos, Evangelos; Tountas, Yannis; Panagiotakos, Demosthenes
• Is Part Of: Nutrition & dietetics. Volume 71:Issue 1(2014:Mar.)
• Page Start: 2
• Page End: 9
• Publication Date: 2013-08-21
• Subjects: Nutrition -- Periodicals; Dietetics -- Periodicals; 613.205
• DOI: 10.1111/1747-0080.12047
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1446-6368

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="ndi12047-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Aim</title> <p>The aim of this study was to evaluate the crucial role that nutritional services provided both to public or private health‐care systems on dietary habits among older people.</p> </sec> <sec id="ndi12047-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>During 2005–2009, 744 men and 742 women (>65 years) from nine Greek Islands and Cyprus Republic were voluntarily enrolled in the Mediterranean Islands study (MEDIS). Sociodemographic, clinical and lifestyle characteristics has been recorded. Information regarding practicing dietitians (n = 88) and nutritional services provided in these islands were also recorded.</p> </sec> <sec id="ndi12047-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>It has been demonstrated that the long‐term presence of dietitian on an island increase the adherence to the Mediterranean diet by the participants (<italic>P</italic> = 0.03). A positive association was also found between level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet by the older people and dietitian's education status (i.e. basic <italic>vs</italic> postgraduate, <italic>P</italic> = 0.003). According to the dietitians' reports, 40% of older adults have improved their dietary habits after the nutritional consultation.</p> </sec> <sec id="ndi12047-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Implementing nutritional services within the healthcare system seems to contribute to healthier dietary habits among older adults that may lead to a better quality of life.</p> </sec> </abstract>