Factors that influence the elderly to use traditional or nontraditional nutrition information sources

This study analyzed sociodemographic variables, access to medical care, health status-related variables, and nutrition status-related variables to determine their ability to predict an orientation toward traditional or nontraditional nutrition information sources among aged subjects in Eugene, OR. Data were collected from 165 randomly selected subjects by trained interviewers using face-to-face interviews. Nutritionist orientation was measured by a Traditional/Nontraditional Index (TNT Index) developed for the study. Nutrition knowledge and misinformation, supplement use, and sources of nutrition information were also investigated. Predictors of nontraditional nutritionist orientation were acceptance of nutrition misinformation and male sex (adjusted R² = .09). For women, predictors of a similar orientation were acceptance of nutrition misinformation, low knowledge of general nutrition information, and low functional health status (adjusted R² = .19). Mean nutrition knowledge scores were high, with a mean of 4.7 (standard deviation [SD] = 0.8) on a scale ranging from 4 (high) to 8 (low). However, many of the subjects did not list dairy foods (28%) and grains (27%) as necessary in the diet. In addition, belief in certain nutrition myths was widespread. More than 58% were taking one or more supplements (mean = 1.4 supplements per day, SD = 1.98). Physicians were mentioned as most likely sources of nutrition information, with dietitians and health food store personnel mentioned second, indicating the importance of marketing efforts for registered dietitians.