Dietary analysis and nutritional behaviour in people with and without age-related macular disease

Abstract

Background and Aims: Consumption of antioxidant nutrients can reduce the risk of progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) - the leading cause of visual impairment in adults over the age of 50 years in the UK. Lutein and zeaxanthin (L&Z) are of particular interest because they are selectively absorbed by the central retina. The objectives of this study were to analyse the dietary intake of a group of AMD patients, assess their ability to prepare and cook healthy food, and to make comparisons with people not affected by AMD. Methods: 158 participants with AMD were recruited via the UK charity The Macular Society, and fifty participants without AMD were recruited from optometric practice. A telephone interview was conducted by trained workers where participants completed a 24 hour food diary, and answered questions about cooking and shopping capabilities. Results: In the AMD group, the average L&Z intake was low in for both males and females. Those able to cook a hot meal consumed significantly more L&Z than those who were not able. Most participants were not consuming the recommended dietary allowance of fibre, calcium, vitamin D and E, and calorific intake was also lower than recommendations for their age-group. The non-AMD group consumed more kilocalories and more nutrients than the AMD group, but the L&Z intake was similar to those with AMD. The main factor that influenced participant’s food choices was personal preference. Conclusion: For an ‘informed’ population, many AMD participants were under-consuming nutrients considered to be useful for their condition. Participants without AMD were more likely to reach recommended daily allowance values for energy and a range of nutrients. It is therefore essential to design more effective dietary education and dissemination methods for people with, and at risk of, AMD.

Publication DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnesp.2015.03.080
Divisions: College of Health & Life Sciences > School of Optometry > Optometry
College of Health & Life Sciences > School of Optometry > Optometry & Vision Science Research Group (OVSRG)
College of Health & Life Sciences
College of Health & Life Sciences > School of Optometry > Vision, Hearing and Language
College of Health & Life Sciences > School of Psychology
College of Health & Life Sciences > Chronic and Communicable Conditions
Additional Information: © 2015, Elsevier. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Uncontrolled Keywords: age-related macular degeneration,diet,lifestyle factors,nutrition,survey,Nutrition and Dietetics,Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Publication ISSN: 2405-4577
Last Modified: 27 Mar 2024 08:12
Date Deposited: 07 May 2015 14:20
Full Text Link:
Related URLs: http://www.scop ... tnerID=8YFLogxK (Scopus URL)
PURE Output Type: Article
Published Date: 2015-06
Published Online Date: 2015-05-21
Authors: Stevens, Rebekah
Bartlett, Hannah (ORCID Profile 0000-0002-7531-6902)
Cooke, Richard (ORCID Profile 0000-0003-0476-6284)

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