Dietary patterns and associated factors among quilombola older adults: a latent class analysis

Abstract This study aimed to identify dietary consumption patterns among quilombola older adults and examine the associations between these patterns and the individuals’ socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. This is a cross-sectional study conducted with a census of 236 older adults (aged ≥60 years) from 11 quilombola communities in the municipality of Bequimão, Maranhão, Brazil. The prevalence of dietary markers was assessed. Latent Class Analysis was applied to identify the most common dietary patterns. Relative frequencies were calculated, and associations between socioeconomic variables and latent classes were tested using Pearson’s chi-square test or the Mann-Whitney test (α=0.05). Two dietary patterns were identified: ‘Unhealthy and hypercaloric diet’ (13.6%) and ‘Unhealthy diet’ (86.4%). Moreover, sex, age, and educational level were associated with the identified patterns. The older adults exhibited dietary patterns characterized by the accumulation of unhealthy food consumption, associated with socioeconomic and demographic conditions. Targeted interventions are essential to reduce unhealthy dietary behaviors and promote more equitable opportunities for food and nutrition security.