Dietary Habits of Older Adults in Serbia

Findings From the National Health Survey

Bibliographic Data

ID22088908
AuthorsDragana Stosovic (0000-0002-5525-9402, Institute of Public Health of Serbia, corresponding author), Nadja Vasiljević (0000-0002-1548-5560, University of Belgrade), Verica Jovanović (0000-0002-9650-0709, Institute of Public Health of Serbia), Andja Ćirković (0000-0002-7542-5690, University of Belgrade), Katarina Paunovic (0000-0002-4229-7821, University of Belgrade), Dragana Davidovic (0000-0003-2027-0967, University of Belgrade)
Year2021
Volume9
Pages610873-610873
Publication date2021-08-23
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2021.610873
PMID34497788
OpenAlexW3195317361
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited37

Objectives: Adults aged 65 years and older comprise one fifth of the Serbian population. Many of them have multiple, often diet-related comorbidities. We aimed to investigate their dietary habits by comparing them with younger adults' and to determine the relation of the differing ones to demographic, socioeconomic and health factors. Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of 2013 Serbian National Health Survey data on 14,082 adults. Binary logistic regression was used to determine dietary habits associated with older age (≥65 years) compared to younger age (18–64 years) and to assess their independent predictors in older adults. Results: Older adults more often reported everyday breakfast (OR = 2.085, 95%CI = 1.622–2.680) and brown/wholegrain bread consumption (OR = 1.681, 95% CI = 1.537–1.839), while using margarine (OR = 0.578, 95%CI = 0.397–0.839), discretionary salt (sometimes: OR = 0.648, 95%CI = 0.596–0.705, almost always: OR = 0.522, 95%CI = 0.445–0.614) and consuming fish (two or more times a week: OR = 0.465, 95%CI = 0.383–0.566) less frequently than younger adults. This was mainly positively related to urban environment, affluence, higher education and poor health. Conclusion: Using nationally representative data, we found that older adults reported healthier dietary habits compared to younger adults, which requires timely public health action

Environmental health · Logistic regression · National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey · Population · Public health · Socioeconomic status · Young adult · Consumer Attitudes and Food Labeling · Demography · Medicine · Nutritional Studies and Diet · Sodium Intake and Health · Gerontology

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