Progress 10/01/99 to 09/30/04
Outputs
We assessed the level of knowledge and awareness of age related macular degeneration (AMD) among older individuals (n=126 subjects, 50 males, 76 females, mean age=72 yrs) who were recruited at local senior centers, the University of Maryland campus, and through personal contacts. Subjects were generally in good health and well educated, as 69% had a college or advanced degree. A total of 11 subjects (4 males and 7 females) in the sample indicated they had previously been diagnosed with AMD. We found that subjects were far less familiar with AMD than they were with coronary heart disease and hypertension. Although 38% of subjects had heard of lutein, only 17% indicated they were aware it may be helpful in lowering the risk for AMD. Most subjects were not knowledgeable about good food sources of lutein. After being diagnosed with AMD or learning that a family member had been diagnosed with AMD, subjects reported no changes in their consumption of broccoli, collards,
kale, parsley, spinach, eggs, or dietary supplements, or in their level of physical activity. Compared to subjects who had not been diagnosed with AMD, those having AMD were more likely to also have been diagnosed with high blood cholesterol, coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, and cataracts. 17% of the subjects reported taking a dietary supplement containing lutein. The results suggested that there is a relatively low awareness of AMD among elderly individuals. Even among those who were diagnosed or who had a close relative diagnosed with AMD, there appeared to be a lack of awareness about lutein and foods containing lutein.
Impacts
We gained information on the need for nutrition education programs that specifically target older individuals who are at an increased risk of developing AMD. The importance of educating consumers about foods that are good sources of lutein will continue to grow as the country's population becomes older.
Publications
- Prahlad, S. Extent of awareness of age-related macular degeneration among elderly Americans. 2002. M.S. Thesis. University of Maryland, Department of Nutrition and Food Science, College Park, MD
- Fey-Yensan NL, Kantor MA, Cohen N, Laus MJ, Rice WS, English C. 2004. Issues and strategies related to fruit and vegetable intake in older adults living in the Northeast Region. Topics in Clinical Nutrition. 19(3):180-192.
|
Progress 01/01/03 to 12/30/03
Outputs
A manuscript based on our investigation of associations between awareness of AMD and knowledge and behavior relative to a variety of health issues is nearing completion. This paper will be based on research conducted by a former graduate student, Ms. Sowmya Prahlad. We will report finding a relatively low level of awareness of AMD among a sample of 126 elderly individuals. Furthermore, even among those subjects diagnosed with AMD, having a close relative with AMD, or stating they were very familiar with AMD, there appeared to be a lack of awareness about lutein and foods containing lutein. In collaboration with another graduate student, Ms. Elizabeth Claverie, a second manuscript is being prepared that will review consumer attitudes, knowledge, and behavior with respect to dietary supplements in general, including antioxidant supplements. In particular, we are interested in comparing results from studies conducted before and after the passage of the Dietary Supplement
and Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994. A third manuscript entitled "Issues and strategies related to fruit and vegetable intake in older adults living in the Northeast Region" was completed and submitted to Topics in Clinical Nutrition. Co-authors of this paper were Nancy L. Fey-Yensan, Nancy Cohen, Mary Jane Laus, William S. Rice, and Catherine English. This paper was based largely on the results of the work we conducted on the NE-172 project during the past five years.
Impacts
Our data will be used to assess the level of knowledge and awareness, and certain behaviors, in a sample of educated, elderly individuals with respect to the relationship between diet and AMD. We expect to gain information on the need for nutrition education programs that specifically target older individuals who are at an increased risk of developing AMD.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
|
Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
We used our previously developed survey instrument to assess the level of knowledge and awareness of AMD among older individuals. Our sample consisted of 126 subjects (50 males, 76 females, mean age=72 yrs) who were recruited at local senior centers, the University of Maryland campus, and through personal contacts. Subjects were generally in good health and well educated, as 69% had a college or advanced degree. 72% were white, 18% Asian, and the rest black or Hispanic. A total of 11 subjects (4 males and 7 females) in the sample indicated they had previously been diagnosed with AMD. We investigated the effect of level of awareness of AMD on knowledge and behavior relative to a variety of health issues, including consuming foods that are good sources of lutein, not smoking, wearing UV protective sunglasses or lenses outdoors, taking carotenoid-containing dietary supplements, participating in exercise, and monitoring blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels. Because
there is a postulated relationship between AMD and certain cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension and high blood cholesterol levels, we also compared the prevalence of being diagnosed with other chronic diseases between subjects with and without AMD. A sub sample (n=74) of subjects also volunteered to complete the Diet History Questionnaire, a food frequency questionnaire developed by the National Cancer Institute, to determine the extent that subjects habitually consume greens and other dietary sources of lutein. Analysis of data has been partially completed, and some of the results generated so far include: As expected, subjects were far less familiar with AMD than they were with coronary heart disease and hypertension. Although 38% of subjects had heard of lutein, only 17% indicated they were aware it may be helpful in lowering the risk for AMD. Most subjects, including those who indicated they were very familiar with AMD, were not able to associate foods that are good
sources of lutein as possibly being helpful in lowering AMD risk. After being diagnosed with AMD or learning that a family member had been diagnosed with AMD, subjects reported no changes in their consumption of broccoli, collards, kale, parsley, spinach, eggs, or dietary supplements, or in their level of physical activity. Compared to subjects who had not been diagnosed with AMD, those having AMD were more likely to also have been diagnosed with high blood cholesterol, coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, and cataracts. Subjects diagnosed with AMD were more likely to regularly engage in beneficial health behaviors, such as having their blood cholesterol level and blood pressure checked and wearing sunglasses and hats when outdoors in the sun. During the past year, 17% of all subjects had taken a dietary supplement containing lutein (mainly Centrum Silver). Results thus far suggest that there is a relatively low awareness of AMD among elderly individuals. Even among those
diagnosed, having a close relative, or stating they are very familiar with AMD, there appears to be a lack of awareness about lutein and foods containing lutein.
Impacts
Our data will be used to assess the level of knowledge and awareness, and certain behaviors, in a sample of educated, elderly individuals with respect to the relationship between diet and AMD. We expect to gain information on the need for nutrition education programs that specifically target older individuals who are at an increased risk of developing AMD.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
|
Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
The specific objective of our project is to develop and adapt educational approaches to reduce the nutritional risk of the elderly. We have developed a survey instrument for assessing the level of knowledge and awareness of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) among a sample of individuals 60 years of age and older, and for determining the extent that this level is associated with health behaviors that may reduce the risk of developing AMD. These behaviors include consuming foods that are good sources of lutein and zeaxanthin, not smoking, wearing ultraviolet protective lenses outdoors, and taking carotenoid-containing dietary supplements. We also will collect information on participation in exercise and knowledge of one's blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels. Because there is a postulated relationship between AMD and certain cardiovascular risk factors, it is prudent to monitor these risk factors. The questionnaire, which takes about 15 minutes to complete,
was pretested (including cognitive testing) on approximately 15 subjects from the target sample, and appropriately modified. We are in the process of recruiting study subjects at several senior centers in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Although our questionnaire is designed to be self-administered, it will be read aloud in a private setting to individuals interested in participating in the study but who have difficulty reading. We also will administer the recently-released 'Diet History Questionnaire' food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) developed by the National Cancer Institute (NIH). This instrument is appropriate for older adults and is designed to be self-administered. To investigate reasons for the popularity of dietary supplements among consumers, explore consumers' attitudes and beliefs about supplements, and identify major areas of confusion or misconceptions, Maryland Cooperative Extension held focus groups pertaining to dietary supplements in three Maryland counties.
Each focus group included 12 consumers recruited by the county extension educator and lasted for about 1 hour. Based on the results, another survey instrument was developed to assess knowledge and attitudes about dietary supplements. This survey instrument, together with the FFQ mentioned above, was given to approximately 100 subjects recruited among the faculty and staff at Prince George's Community College (Largo, Maryland).
Impacts
The information obtained from the AMD questionnaire will be used to assess the extent that respondents are familiar with the health consequences of AMD, and their awareness that consumption of certain fruits, vegetables, or dietary supplements may be effective in reducing the risk of developing AMD or slowing its progression. We are particularly interested in investigating the extent that our study subjects habitually consume greens and other dietary sources of lutein and zeaxanthin, and are eating five servings of fruits and vegetables daily. We also expect to find that there are misconceptions with respect to the safety and testing of dietary supplements.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
|
|