A recent study in southern Tehran has revealed that older adults can significantly reduce their dietary costs while adhering to the Planetary Health Diet Index (PHDI). Conducted on 398 elderly participants over a period between October 2022 and May 2023, the findings indicate a direct correlation between adherence to this diet and savings in everyday food expenses.
Research has shown that dietary patterns in older populations are closely linked to various socioeconomic factors, including income levels and food prices. The PHDI, which emphasizes sustainable and nutritionally rich food choices, was central to this investigation, shedding light on its accessibility for older Iranians.
The study found that individuals adhering more closely to the PHDI experienced lower dietary costs. For instance, those in the highest PHDI tertile spent approximately 708,367 Rials less daily than those in the lowest tertile. This significant finding demonstrates that healthier diets, often perceived as more expensive, can actually be affordable, especially when focusing on plant-based foods and less nutrient-dense options.
Significantly, females and individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 27.5 or less showed higher adherence to the PHDI. Single individuals were also more likely to achieve higher diet scores. However, these associations relied on demographic factors, illustrating that socioeconomic status can complicate dietary choices.
The researchers utilized a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) to assess dietary intake and calculated the average daily food costs through data sourced from supermarkets and the Iranian Statistics Center. Their analysis underscores the necessity of adopting dietary frameworks like the PHDI, which can support healthier aging and reduce malnutrition risks among older adults.
According to the study's results, every 10-point increase in adherence to the PHDI correlated with a decrease in daily diet cost by 343,870 Rials. The research suggests that educating older adults about affordable, PHDI-aligned meal preparation could mitigate the burden of malnutrition, especially among lower-income individuals.
The authors emphasize the need for public health interventions geared towards creating equitable food systems that improve access to nutrient-dense foods while considering socioeconomic barriers. An ideal approach may include subsidizing the cost of healthy staples, like legumes and whole grains, to ensure they are both accessible and affordable for aging populations.
This research not only highlights the potential for policy change in the domain of geriatric nutrition but also advocates for community programs focused on dietary education and meal planning tailored to the needs of older adults.
As the study points out, the future of dietary practices will rely heavily on creating sustainable and economically viable solutions to improve health outcomes across all groups, particularly as the global population ages. The findings suggest pathways to enhance diet quality while simultaneously reducing economic barriers, reinforcing the urgent need for strategies that balance health, environment, and economic realities.
