Abstract (provisional)
Background
Retirement from work involves significant lifestyle changes and may represent an opportunity to promote healthier eating patterns in later life. However, the effectiveness of dietary interventions during this period has not been evaluated.
Methods
We undertook a systematic review of dietary interventions among adults of retirement transition age (54 to 70 years). Twelve electronic databases were searched for randomized controlled trials evaluating the promotion of a healthy dietary pattern, or its constituent food groups, with three or more months of follow-up and reporting intake of specific food groups. Random-effects models were used to determine the pooled effect sizes. Subgroup analysis and meta-regression were used to assess sources of heterogeneity.
Results
Out of 9,048 publications identified, 67 publications reporting 24 studies fulfilled inclusion criteria. Twenty-two studies, characterized by predominantly overweight and obese participants, were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, interventions increased fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake by 87.8 g/day (P <0.00001), with="" similar="" results="" in="" the="" short-to-medium="" that="" is="" 4="" to="" 12="" months="" 85="" 6="" g="" day="" and="" long-term="" 58="" 87="" 0="" for="" body="" mass="" index="" bmi="" category="" interventions="" produced="" slightly="" higher="" intakes="" of="" fruit="" mean="" 53="" 7="" than="" vegetables="" 41="" significant="" increases="" fish="" p="" decreases="" meat="" intake="" 9="" 00001="">
Conclusions
Increases in F&V intakes were positively associated with the number of participant intervention contacts. Dietary interventions delivered during the retirement transition are therefore effective, sustainable in the longer term and likely to be of public health significance.
Alex's Notes: It really is never to late to develop healthy habits.
