Gender and Marital Status are Associated with Healthy Diet Among the Oldest Old

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.