J Appl Gerontol. 2025 May 30:7334648251343329. doi: 10.1177/07334648251343329. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
Studies have shown links between nutrition in older adults and marital status. Few studies explore the interaction of gender and marital status with a healthy diet in the US for older adults. Using a sample of oldest olds living in an independent, retirement community dwelling in Florida, we found a statistically significant difference in healthful diet between women and men, controlling for marital status, health status, social isolation, loneliness, and other covariates. We also found a significant negative relationship between healthful diet and widowhood (b = -3.85, p < .000). Likewise, older adults who were divorced or never married had lower healthful diet scores than those who were married or remarried (b = -7.31, p < .000), disability was associated with a lower healthful diet (b = -.30, p < .01), and loneliness was negatively associated with healthful diet. The results have important implications for medical advisers and those involved in providing support to these older adults.
PMID:40444447 | DOI:10.1177/07334648251343329
