Associations of diet patterns with successful aging, longevity, and extreme longevity: a prospective cohort study among Chinese adults 65 years or older

PurposeThe role of dietary patterns in overall health and longevity among the elderly has not been comprehensively evaluated. We investigated the associations between multiple dietary indices and successful aging, longevity, and extreme longevity among older individuals, aiming to explore appropriate dietary patterns for the older Chinese population.MethodsA food frequency questionnaire was used to construct seven dietary indices: plant-based dietary index (PDI), healthful plant-based dietary index (hPDI), unhealthful plant-based dietary index (uPDI), animal-based dietary index (ADI), dietary diversity index (DDI), protein-enriched dietary diversity index (PEDDI), and anti-inflammatory dietary diversity index (AIDDI). When analyzing the associations between dietary indices and successful aging, longevity, and extreme longevity, logistic regression models or Cox proportional hazards models were employed. Followed by restricted cubic splines to examine the non-linear associations.ResultsEach SD increment in PEDDI was associated with a 20% higher probability of successful aging (OR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.06-1.36). One SD increment in PEDDI was related to a 26% higher probability of longevity (HR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.14-1.39). Individuals in the top tertile group of PEDDI had a higher probability of achieving extreme longevity compared to those in the bottom tertile group of PEDDI (OR = 1.83, 95% CI:1.01-3.30).ConclusionsFor older adults in China, greater attention should be given to dietary patterns rich in protein, as higher PEDDI scores were statistically associated with promoting successful aging, longevity, and extreme longevity.