Few studies have considered cognitive performance in older adults when assessing dietary intake with self-report measures. This pilot study used a small sample (N = 50) of predominantly African American older adults in a geriatric primary care center to better understand the role that cognition may play in obtaining an accurate assessment of dietary intake based on self-report. Two types of dietary self-report measures (Dietary Risk Assessment [DRA], Dietary Health Questionnaire [DHQ 11] Food Frequency Questionnaire [FFQ] combined with a Picture-Sort method) were used to compare the differences in self-report measurement of selected nutrients with two biochemical markers of nutritional status (total cholesterol, serum carotenoids) among participants grouped by levels of cognitive function. Two commonly used cognitive assessment tools (MMSE 11-SV, MiniCog) were found to identify dietary intake risk when cognitive function may be limited. Although the differences in dietary self-report measures and biochemical marker measures were not found to be related to cognitive function, the authors consider explanations to stimulate further research on this challenging topic.

Objective: The average life expectancy in Japan became similar to that in developed Western countries in 1980s. However, the nutritional status of Japanese individuals has continuously deteriorated since. This study evaluated these phenomena using the Japanese time-sequential data and worldwide cross-cultural data. Methods: Japanese trends data of total energy, protein, fat and carbohydrate intake were derived from Japanese National Nutrition Surveys between 1950 and 2014. Total energy intake according to sex and age was also analyzed using these same databases. Trends in average birth weight and the rate of low birth weight (<2,500g) were calculated from Japanese Vital Statistics between 1951 and 2015. A cross-cultural comparison regarding trends of total energy supply (Food Balance Sheets) was made using the 2013 Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) database between 1992 and 2011. The rates of high (≥30) and low Body Mass Index (BMI) (<18.5) were compared among selected countries based on the WHO Global Database on Body Mass Index (1 November 2016). Results: The total energy intake of Japanese individuals increased until 1970, from which time it decreased progressively. Concordantly, the trend in the decrement of average birth weight and the marked increase of low birth weight (<2,500g) were observed since 1975. The total energy intake remained unchanged only among individuals aged ≥70 years, although it declined in other age groups over the past two decades. The total energy supply between 1992 and 2011 more or less increased worldwide. However, it declined only in Japan. Cross-cultural data revealed that there was a low proportion of Japanese individuals with high BMI (≥30) and a high rate with low BMI (<18.5) as commonly found in developing countries. Conclusion: The present Japanese longevity is a result of the low age-adjusted mortality among individuals aged ≥70 years. The optimistic perspective for longevity in the future should be viewed taking into consideration the deleterious effect on nutritional status in younger generations and low birth weight.

Introduction With advances in technology and our interconnectedness enhanced, the evolution of human life has created a new type of stress, Cultural Stress (CS) and this type of stress has given way to a recognizable syndrome, Cultural Stress Anxiety Syndrome (CSAS), where isolation, anxiety, sedentary lifestyles and depression are the norm and may hasten senescence. Objective The purpose of this pilot study is to explore the effectiveness of an inclusive health method to treat CSAS. Methods Six female patients were treated for 24 weeks with an inclusive health protocol (internal care, external care and emotional care) designed to reverse CSAS, rejuvenate cellular health and slow related degenerative cell aging processes. Clinical tests such as a comprehensive metabolic panel, blood pressure screenings, BMI/weight, stress test, as well as questionnaires, interviews and journaling were used to establish baseline measures, mid-point and final results. This included cohen perceived stress scale; patient health questionnaire PHQ-9; cultural stress questionnaire; dermatology self-reporting skin questionnaire; appearance questionnaire and video interviews; omnia photos; visia photos; clarity pro evaluations; blood pressure and body composition using an RJL system; skin biopsies and a global gene expression analysis using affymetrix microarrays. Results Subjects eliminated the symptoms of CSAS and gene expression examination showed positive results in down-regulation and up-regulation of the genes that influence senescence. Our findings show that inclusive treatment for CSAS can produce positive changes in total wellness and may reduce aging. In specific, we found that treatments that support the cellular water principle theory-which aims to fortify cells and connective tissue, Increase Intracellular Water (ICW) and boost cellular immunity-and address internal, external and emotional stress due to CS, may be useful to encourage maximal youth in aging patients and stave off age-related cellular degeneration. Discussion Accordingly, lifestyle and behavioral management therapies that improve cell health and fortification, in concert with medical treatments, may have the most profound effects on CSAS and epigenetic aging factors.

The prevalence of thyroid dysfunction is higher in the elderly as compared to the younger population. An excess or deficiency of trace element contents in thyroid plays an important role in goitro - and carcinogenesis of gland. The variation with age of the mass fraction of silver (Ag), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), mercury (Hg), rubidium (Rb), antimony (Sb), scandium (Sc), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) in intact (normal) thyroid of 33 females (mean age 54.5 years, range 3.5-87) was investigated by instrumental neutron activation analysis with high resolution spectrometry of long-lived radionuclides. Mean values +(or)- standard error of mean for mass fractions (mg/kg, on dry-mass basis) of the trace elements studied were: Ag 0.0140+(or)-0.0020, Co 0.0505+(or)-0.0064, Cr 0.573+(or)-0.049, Fe 232+(or)-22, Hg 0.0329+(or)-0.0051, Rb 6.16+(or)-0.48, Sb 0.116+(or)-0.012, Sc 0.0042+(or)-0.0012, Se 2.22+(or)-0.23 and Zn 85.7+(or)-7.4. This work revealed that there is a significant increase in Co, Rb, Sb and Zn mass fraction in normal female thyroid during a lifespan. Therefore, a goitro- and carcinogenic effect of excessive Co, Fe, Rb, Sb and Zn level in the thyroid of old females should be studied.

Sleep disturbances are common among older adults. The objective of this study is to determine whether the activity of inside walking by older individuals residing in the old age home improves the quality of their sleep. Pashupati Briddhaashram (old age home) from Kathmandu is the facility selected for this study. This study uses a pre-post quasi-experimental design of 36 older individuals who voluntarily participated utilizing the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to measure the quality of individuals’ sleep. In this program older residents walked three times per week for four weeks with the researchers or other assigned Briddhaashram Officers. Results show that after one months of walking, the Global PSQI score changes from 331 to 274. This statistically significant result shows that walking is sufficient to improve the nighttime sleep quality of the participants. Moreover, nighttime sleep quality improved regardless of gender. Further analysis of several PSQI components shows that sleep latency, sleep duration, subjective sleep quality, habitual sleep efficiency and sleep disturbance were also found to improve significantly. These findings cannot be generalized to whole population, further in depth study in a large sample size with control group is required.