The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #66627

Carol Ann Holcomb, PhD, CHES and Cynthia Allen, MS. Department of Human Nutrition, Kansas State University, 210 Justin Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506-1407, 785-532-0152, carolann@ksu.edu

Should older adults at high risk for central vision loss increase their consumption of carotenoid-rich foods, especially those containing lutein and zeaxanthin? Recent population-based research has suggested a correlation between high intake of lutein/zeaxanthin and increased macular pigment density. This report describes results from a matched case-control study of 168 women and men aged 64-94 years in the Sunflower Eye Study. Intakes of carotenoid-rich foods were estimated from the Block food frequency questionnaire. The median weekly serving for each food from all participants was used as the cut point for consumption level (high versus low). Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using the discordant pairs only. Each food was assessed individually and as part of a summary index of all 12 foods. Foods analyzed were broccoli, carrots, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts, cole slaw and cabbage, corn, cornbread and corn muffins, eggs, green beans, green salad (with leaf lettuce), peas, spinach, and sweet potatoes and yams. High consumption of corn bread and corn muffins indicated significant protection against central vision loss (OR 0.43; 95% CI 0.20-0.90). Inverse associations were also observed for high versus low intakes of broccoli (OR 0.89), carrots (OR 0.74), cole slaw and cabbage (OR 0.87), eggs (OR 0.70), green salad (OR 0.70), peas (OR 0.82), sweet potatoes and yams (OR 0.78), and the summary index (OR 0.62), but all the confidence intervals contained unity. Associations for cauliflower and Brussels sprouts, corn, green beans, and spinach were less remarkable.

Learning Objectives:

• To list eight carotenoid-rich foods inversely associated with central vision loss in the elderly
• To recognize the strengths and limitations of the study results
• To articulate the implications of this study for increasing carotenoid-rich foods in the diet

Keywords: Elderly, Food and Nutrition

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.