Age Related Differences in Cardio-Kidney-Metabolic Risk Burden, Dietary Habits and Health Literacy in Elderly Women

Objective: Cardio-kidney-metabolic (CKM) risk in women represents a major public health challenge, particularly in the context of ageing and lifestyle changes. Health literacy, awareness of CKM risk, and dietary habits, such as adherence to the Mediterranean diet, are key factors in the prevention and control of CKM conditions. The aim of this study was to assess age-related differences in CKM risk burden, dietary habits, and health literacy, and to examine their association with body mass index (BMI) and morbidity in women. Design and method: A total of 178 women were included (68% older than 50 years). BMI and morbidity were recorded, and health literacy, awareness of CKM risk, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet were assessed using standardized scores. Comparisons between women younger than and older than 50 years were performed using the Mann-Whitney U test, and associations were assessed using Spearman's correlation. Results: Overall, 104 of 178 participants (58.4%) were overweight or obese. This proportion was significantly lower in women younger than 50 years compared with older women (36.8% vs 68.6%; p < 0.001). Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was low in the entire sample (17.7%), and although it was numerically lower in younger women than in older women (14.0% vs 19.0%), this difference was not statistically significant p=0.54). However, women younger than 50 had significantly lower body mass index, fewer diagnoses and lower Mediterranean diet adherence scores (all p < 0.05). No significant differences were identified in health literacy or awareness of CKM risk. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet score was positively associated with morbidity (number of diagnoses; p < 0.05), but not with BMI. Neither health literacy nor CKM risk awareness were associated with BMI, morbidity or dietary adherence (all p > 0.05). Conclusions: Age affected CKM risk and diet, but health literacy and awareness of CKM risk were consistent across age groups. The higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet among older women might reflect secondary prevention, or still present traditional Mediterranean lifestyle in older generation.