BACKGROUND Social isolation and loneliness are associated with increased risk of adverse health outcomes at older ages. This study evaluated whether isolation and loneliness are related to inadequate intake of micronutrients in the diet. METHODS We tested associations between social isolation and loneliness and dietary micronutrient intake 2 years later in 3713 men and women (mean age 68.26, standard deviation 7.81 years) who completed two online 24-h dietary recalls. Associations of isolation and loneliness with intake of nine minerals and vitamins that fell below national recommendations were tested using logistic regressions, adjusting for age, gender, ethnicity, education, marital status, smoking and physical activity and total energy intake. RESULTS The prevalence of low dietary intake varied markedly across micronutrients. Social isolation (1-point increase in a score ranging 0-5) was associated with increased odds (adjusted for covariates) of low intake of magnesium [odds ratio (OR) 1.153, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.037-1.282, P = .009], potassium (OR 1.201, 95% CI 1.087-1.327, P < .001), vitamin B6 (OR 1.263, 95% CI 1.110-1.438, P < .001), folate (OR 1.211, 95% CI 1.093-1.341, P < .001) and vitamin C (OR 1.238, 95% CI 1.098-1.394, P < .001). These associations remained unchanged when food insecurity and impaired activities of daily living were taken into account. By contrast, loneliness was not related to the inadequate intake of any micronutrient. CONCLUSIONS Low intake of micronutrients increases risk of age-related health problems. Attention to the dietary quality of older people with limited social contacts and little involvement in community activities might enhance health outcomes.

中文翻译：

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英格兰老年人的社会孤立、孤独和膳食微量营养素摄入量低。


背景 社会孤立和孤独与老年人不良健康结果的风险增加有关。本研究评估了孤立和孤独是否与饮食中微量营养素摄入不足有关。方法 我们在 2 年后对 3713 名男性和女性 （平均年龄 68.26 岁，标准差 7.81 岁） 进行了社会孤立和孤独与膳食微量营养素摄入量之间的关联，他们完成了两次在线 24 小时饮食回忆。使用 logistic 回归法测试孤立和孤独与低于国家建议的 9 种矿物质和维生素摄入量的关联，并调整年龄、性别、种族、教育程度、婚姻状况、吸烟和身体活动以及总能量摄入量。结果 微量营养素低膳食摄入量的患病率差异显著。社会孤立（0-5 分增加 1 分）与镁摄入量低的几率增加（根据协变量调整）相关 [比值比 （OR） 1.153,95% 置信区间 （CI） 1.037-1.282，P = .009]、钾 （OR 1.201,95% CI 1.087-1.327，P < .001）、维生素 B6 （OR 1.263,95% CI 1.110-1.438，P < .001）、叶酸 （OR 1.211， 95% CI 1.093-1.341，P < .001） 和维生素 C （OR 1.238,95% CI 1.098-1.394，P < .001）。当考虑到粮食不安全和日常生活活动受损时，这些关联保持不变。相比之下，孤独与任何微量营养素摄入不足无关。结论 微量营养素摄入量低会增加与年龄相关的健康问题的风险。关注社交接触有限且很少参与社区活动的老年人的饮食质量可能会改善健康结果。