Work

Long term dietary changes after a multi-domain lifestyle intervention among older adults (FINGER)

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background As the global population ages, identifying interventions to promote healthy diet is essential for healthy ageing. The Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability (FINGER) was a 2-year randomized controlled trial that showed cognitive benefits from a multidomain lifestyle intervention. Diet was one of the components, including 3 individual and 6 group sessions. The present study aims to investigate the long-term dietary changes among older adults after the intervention. Methods The FINGER trial included 1259 individuals at risk of dementia aged 60-77 years, randomized into the multidomain intervention (n = 631) or the control group (n = 628). Dietary intake was assessed using a 3-day food record annually during the trial and at the 7-year follow-up (n = 572). A dietary adherence score was calculated based on national dietary recommendations: intake of saturated and polyunsaturated fat, sucrose, fibre, protein, alcohol, vegetables, fruits, and fish. In addition, intakes were analysed as continuous variables using linear mixed modelling. Results At the 7-year follow-up, there were no changes in the diet adherence score within or between groups (estimated mean score 0.15 higher in the intervention group, p = 0.233) compared with the baseline. Preliminary results show that energy intake decreased 290 kJ/d in the intervention (p < 0.01) and 450 kJ/d in the control group (p < 0.001). In addition, the intake (E%) of fat increased, while carbohydrate and protein decreased in both groups (p < 0.01 for each). The improvement in fibre intake was maintained in the intervention group, with a difference between groups still at 7 years (p < 0.01). Conclusions The intake of energy decreased and the macronutrient composition shifted with ageing. Although some dietary improvements - such as fibre intake - were sustained, additional support may be necessary to achieve and maintain broader longer-term dietary changes following an intervention. Key messages • Dietary guidance intervention improves diet quality among older adults, but additional support is needed to achieve and maintain broader longer-term dietary changes after a diet intervention. • The intake of energy decreased over time, and the macronutrient composition changed. Energy intake from protein and carbohydrates decreased while energy intake from fat increased with ageing.

Source: European Journal of Public Health

DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckaf161.1396