As we get older, eating habits can change for variety of reasons (hunger and appetite) cues change and certain foods may not agree with you like they once did). How you feel can also shape how you eat. And a new study in Chinese older adults1 found that anxiety and cognitive function were associated with how people's dietary patterns changed over time. And that mental well-being is also linked to choosing a more varied diet. Here's what you need to know.
About the study
Researchers analyzed data from 3,181 adults (with an average age of 81) participating in the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey, a large ongoing study of older adults in China. They identify common dietary patterns of this group and tracked where people's eating patterns aligned with at the start of the study and then again four years later.
The four dietary patterns included:
- Mono-diet: A relatively limited variety of foods
- Vegetarian diet: A pattern centered primarily around plant foods
- High-protein diet: Greater emphasis on protein-rich foods
- Diversified diet: A broader variety of foods
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