Dieting for weight-control among older adults: The role of perceived health and perceived overweight status.

BACKGROUND

Despite the ever-growing literature on weight-control diets, data about dieting among older adults are scarce.

PURPOSE

To describe the prevalence of weight-control dieting across age groups and weight statuses (from healthy-weight to overweight and obese). To identify cross-sectional associations of perceived health and perceived overweight status with dieting among older adults.

METHODS

Secondary analyses of the second and third waves of the Midlife in the US study (MIDUS). Sample included 2588 participants (40-93 years old, 54.5% females, age = 64.4 ± 11.1 years, BMI = 28.3 ± 5.9 kg/m). Logistic regressions were used to predict dieting across age groups (independent variables: BMI, perceived health, perceived overweight status; covariates: BMI change, education, age, race).

RESULTS

As many as 15% of participants had reported dieting during the previous year. Older age was associated with less dieting among healthy weight (p = .02) and overweight (p < .001) participants, but not among participants with obesity (p = .36). Among participants younger than 75, overweight perception (vs. healthy-weight perception) was linked with higher likelihood for dieting (40-55 years: OR = 3.94[1.70-9.1]; 55-65 years: OR = 4.11[1.91-8.82]; 65-75 years: OR = 4.50[1.90-10.65]). Nevertheless, among participants older than 75, excellent (vs. good/fair/poor) perceived health was linked with higher likelihood of dieting (good vs. excellent: OR = 0.29[0.09-0.87]; fair/poor vs. excellent: OR = 0.12[0.03-0.54]).

CONCLUSIONS

Older age is associated with less weight-control dieting among people without obesity. Although overweight perception may have a stronger impact on dieting during younger age, health perception may have a stronger impact on dieting during older age, suggesting that the motivation behind weight-control diets may potentially change throughout the adult lifespan.