Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationship between fruit and vegetable intake, physical activity, and all-cause mortality in older women. DESIGN: Six Cox proportional hazards models examined independent and additive relationships between physical activity, carotenoids, and all-cause mortality. Additional models tested whether physical activity and carotenoids were conjointly related to mortality. Models were adjusted for age, education, and race and ethnicity. SETTING: Baltimore, Maryland. PARTICIPANTS: Seven hundred thirteen women aged 70 to 79 participating in the Women’s Health and Aging Studies. MEASUREMENTS: Total serum carotenoids, a marker of fruit and vegetable intake, and physical activity were measured at baseline. Physical activity was measured according to kilocalorie expenditure. RESULTS: During 5 years of follow-up, 82 (11.5%) participants died. Measured continuously, physical activity improved survival (HR = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.41-0.66, P < .001). The most active women were more likely to survive than the least physically active women (HR = 0.28, 95% CI = 0.13-0.59, P < .001). Continuous measures of carotenoids improved survival (HR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.51-0.89, P = .01). Women in the highest tertile of total carotenoids were more likely to survive those in the lowest (HR = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.27-0.91, P = .03). When examined in the same model, continuous measures of physical activity (HR = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.42-0.68, P < .001) and carotenoids (HR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.59-0.98, P = .04) predicted survival during follow-up. CONCLUSION: The combination of low total serum carotenoids and low physical activity, both modifiable risk factors, strongly predicted earlier mortality. These findings provide preliminary support that higher fruit and vegetable intake and exercise improve survival. © 2012, Copyright the Authors Journal compilation © 2012, The American Geriatrics Society.
Generated Summary
This study, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, investigated the relationship between fruit and vegetable intake, physical activity, and all-cause mortality in older community-dwelling women. The research employed a prospective cohort design, analyzing data from the Women’s Health and Aging Studies. The study examined the independent and additive relationships between physical activity, carotenoids (a marker of fruit and vegetable intake), and all-cause mortality. Six Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess these relationships. Additional models tested if physical activity and carotenoids were related to mortality. The study adjusted for age, education, and race and ethnicity. The primary objective was to examine how these factors affect the survival of older women. The study aimed to determine whether higher consumption of fruits and vegetables, in combination with increased physical activity, could predict improved survival outcomes. The methodology centered on measuring baseline levels of total serum carotenoids and physical activity through kilocalorie expenditure. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality, assessed over a five-year follow-up period.
Key Findings & Statistics
- During 5 years of follow-up, 82 (11.5%) participants died.
- Measured continuously, physical activity improved survival (HR = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.41-0.66, P < .001).
- The most active women were more likely to survive than the least physically active women (HR = 0.28, 95% CI = 0.13-0.59, P < .001).
- Continuous measures of carotenoids improved survival (HR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.51-0.89, P = .01).
- Women in the highest tertile of total carotenoids were more likely to survive those in the lowest (HR = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.27-0.91, P = .03).
- When examined in the same model, continuous measures of physical activity (HR = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.42-0.68, P < .001) and carotenoids (HR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.59-0.98, P = .04) predicted survival during follow-up.
Other Important Findings
- The study found that the combination of low total serum carotenoids and low physical activity was a strong predictor of earlier mortality.
- Higher levels of physical activity were associated with improved survival rates.
- Higher levels of carotenoids (indicating greater fruit and vegetable intake) were also associated with increased survival.
- The models adjusted for age, education, and race and ethnicity, enhancing the validity of the findings.
Limitations Noted in the Document
- The study did not explicitly mention any limitations.
Conclusion
The study’s findings suggest that a combination of higher fruit and vegetable intake, as indicated by total serum carotenoids, and increased physical activity is associated with improved survival rates in older women. The study’s observations imply a modifiable risk factor relationship, such that individuals may improve their health outcomes through dietary and lifestyle modifications. The data suggests that there is a direct association between physical activity and improved survival. Furthermore, the study revealed that those with the highest levels of carotenoids were more likely to survive than those with the lowest. This finding underscores the importance of diet in improving health outcomes. In conclusion, the study provides strong preliminary support for the promotion of fruit and vegetable intake and physical activity, which could play a key role in health promotion and disease prevention in the elderly, particularly in community-dwelling women.
DOI
10.1111/j.1532-5415.2012.030