Diet and Nutrition Risk Affect Mobility and General Health in Osteoarthritis: Data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging

Background: This study examined whether aspects of diet and nutrition risk explain variance in physical capacity and general health, after controlling for covariates, in Canadian adults with osteoarthritis (OA). Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of baseline data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA). Data from 1,404 participants with hand, hip, and/or knee OA were included. A series of regression analyses were conducted with independent variables of food intake (fiber and high calorie snack intake) and nutrition risk; and dependent variables of physical capacity and general health. Physical capacity was characterized through grip strength and a pooled index of four mobility tests. General health was characterized through an index of self-reported general health, mental health, and healthy aging. Results: Higher fiber intake was related to greater mobility (p = .01). Food intake was not related to any other outcome. Nutrition risk was significantly associated with mobility (p < .001) and general health (p < .001); those with a high nutrition risk classification had poorer general health (p < .001, d = 0.65) than those at low nutrition risk. As well, those with moderate nutrition risk had poorer general health than those with low nutrition risk (p = .001, d = 0.31). Conclusions: Nutrition risk screening for older adults with OA provides insight into behavioral characteristics associated with reduced mobility and poorer general health. Also, those consuming greater amounts of fiber demonstrated better mobility. Thus, this research suggests that quality of diet and nutritional behaviors can impact both physical and mental aspects of health in those with OA.