Socioeconomic Disadvantage, Dietary Behaviors, and Nutrient Intake Among Older Adults with Chronic Diarrhea: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: This study examined the associations of socioeconomic characteristics and dietary factors with chronic diarrhea in older adults. In addition, we explored socioeconomic differences in nutrient intake among those with chronic diarrhea. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 3498 adults aged 65 years or older from NHANES 2005–2010, of whom 328 had a usual Bristol Stool Form Scale type >5, characterizing the presence of diarrhea. Logistic and linear regression models were adjusted for age and sex. The Benjamini–Hochberg false discovery rate (FDR) procedure was applied post hoc within groups of related comparisons. Results: Lower family poverty–income ratio and educational attainment were associated with chronic diarrhea and remained significant after FDR correction. Emergency food assistance and periods without health insurance were nominally associated but did not remain significant after correction. Among participants with chronic diarrhea, higher poverty–income ratio remained associated with greater intake of energy, total fat, and saturated fat after FDR correction. Other nominal nutrient intake associations and the small difference in folate intake did not remain significant after correction. Conclusions: Socioeconomic disadvantage was associated with chronic diarrhea and differences in reported nutrient intake among older adults. These unweighted, exploratory findings require confirmation in further studies.