Association of Mediterranean diet and other health behaviours with barriers to healthy eating and perceived health among British adults of retirement age

Objectives: Health behaviours including diet, smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity, predict health risks at the population level. We explored health behaviours, barriers to healthy eating and self-rated health among individuals of retirement age. Study design 82 men and 124 women participated in an observational, cross-sectional online survey. Main outcome measures A 14-item Mediterranean diet score (MDPS), perceived barriers to healthy eating (PBHE), self-reported smoking, physical activity habits, and current and prior perceived health status (PHS) were assessed. A health behaviours score (HBS) including smoking, physical activity, body mass index (BMI) and MDPS was created to evaluate associations with PHS. Two-step cluster analysis identified natural groups based on PBHE. Analysis of variance was used to evaluate between group comparisons. Results: PBHE number was associated with BMI (r = 0.28, P < 0.001), age (r = -0.19; P = 0.006), and MDPS (r = 0.31; P < 0.001). PHBE cluster analysis produced three clusters. Cluster-1 members (busy lifestyle) were significantly younger (57 years), more overweight (28 kg/m(2)), scored lower on MDPS (4.7) and reported more PBHE (7). Cluster-3 members (no characteristic PBHE) were leaner (25 kg/m(2)), reported the lowest number of PBHE (2), and scored higher on HBS (2.7) and MDPS (6.2). Those in PHS categories, bad/fair, good, and very good, reported mean HBS of 2.0, 2.4 and 3.0, respectively (P < 0.001). Compared with the previous year, no significant associations between PHS and HBS were observed. Conclusions: PBHE clusters were associated with BMI, MDPS and PHS and could be a useful tool to tailor interventions for those of pen-retirement age. (C) 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.