Factors Associated with Diet and Weight in Rural Older Women

The purpose of the study was to identify factors that may contribute to variability in dietary and weight status in a group of rural older women (n = 180). Subjects completed a questionnaire regarding personal, behavioral and social/environmental variables followed by three random 24-hour recalls. Dietary factors, such as diet variety, were derived from the recalls. The dietary outcome measures were: energy, mean adequacy ratio (MAR), percent kilocalories from fat, sodium, and weight, expressed as body mass index (BMI). Results indicate that diet variety and number of meals together explained 36% of the variation in energy intake and 26% of the variation in MAR. BMI was related to a number of factors including following a weight-loss diet, and being diagnosed with hypertension.