Retinal Microvasculature and Neural Changes and Dietary Patterns in an Older Population in Southern Italy.


Tatoli, Rossella ORCID: 0000-0002-7891-6057, Lampignano, Luisa ORCID: 0000-0001-9299-3211, Donghia, Rossella ORCID: 0000-0002-9140-673X, Niro, Alfredo ORCID: 0000-0002-7951-3591, Castellana, Fabio ORCID: 0000-0002-6439-8228, Bortone, Ilaria ORCID: 0000-0002-4767-5334, Zupo, Roberta, Tirelli, Sarah, Lozupone, Madia ORCID: 0000-0002-1674-9724, Panza, Francesco ORCID: 0000-0002-7220-0656 et al (show 5 more authors) (2023) Retinal Microvasculature and Neural Changes and Dietary Patterns in an Older Population in Southern Italy. International journal of environmental research and public health, 20 (6). 5108-.

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Abstract

<h4>Background</h4>Like other parts of the body, the retina and its neurovascular system are also affected by age-related changes. The rising age of populations worldwide makes it important to study the pathologies related to age and their potential risk factors, such as diet and eating habits. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive power of food groups versus retinal features among noninstitutionalized older adults from Southern Italy using a machine learning approach.<h4>Methods</h4>We recruited 530 subjects, with a mean age of 74 years, who were drawn from the large population of the Salus in Apulia Study. In the present cross-sectional study, eating habits were assessed with a validated food frequency questionnaire. For the visual assessment, a complete ophthalmic examination and optical coherence tomography-angiography analyses were performed.<h4>Results</h4>The analyses identified 13 out of the 28 food groups as predictors of all our retinal variables: grains, legumes, olives-vegetable oil, fruiting vegetables, other vegetables, fruits, sweets, fish, dairy, low-fat dairy, red meat, white meat, and processed meat.<h4>Conclusions</h4>Eating habits and food consumption may be important risk factors for age-related retinal changes. A diet that provides the optimal intake of specific nutrients with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory powers, including carotenoids and omega-3 fatty acids, could have beneficial effects.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Retina, Animals, Fruit, Vegetables, Diet, Fat-Restricted, Diet, Cross-Sectional Studies, Feeding Behavior, Microvessels
Divisions: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Life Courses and Medical Sciences
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 09 Oct 2023 13:31
Last Modified: 09 Oct 2023 13:31
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20065108
Related URLs:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3173548
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