THE CLOSENESS BETWEEN OLDER CARE RECIPIENTS AND FAMILY CAREGIVERS AFFECTS CAREGIVERS' DIET HABITS - Abstract

Q: What question does the study address?

It examines whether lower perceived closeness with care recipients is associated with poor dietary habits among family caregivers.

Q: How were “poor dietary habits” defined?

Poor dietary habits were defined using a Dietary Variety Score below 4.

Q: What did the results show by sex?

Among women, lower closeness was significantly linked to poor dietary habits (odds ratio 3.01, 95% CI 1.21–7.54, p=.018), while no significant association was found for men.

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by Quinn Holloway

In Japan, around 60% of family caregivers for older adults are aged 65 or older and face elevated risk of undernutrition from caregiving burden. This study tested whether lower perceived closeness to care recipients relates to poor dietary habits among caregivers using Japan’s 2024 national family caregiver panel survey. Caregivers aged 65+ (n=496) were analyzed; poor dietary habits were defined by Dietary Variety Score <4, with logistic regression adjusting for multiple caregiver and relationship covariates.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Study objective

Data source and sample

Measures and covariates

Statistical approach and results

Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 783 Abstract citation ID: igaf122.2659 THE CLOSENESS BETWEEN OLDER CARE RECIPIENTSAND FAMILY CAREGIVERS AFFECTS CAREGIVERS’DIET HABITS Kumi Morishita-Suzuki, Sendai Center for Dementia Care Research and Practices, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan In Japan, approximately 60% of family caregivers for older adults are aged ≥65 and face a higher risk of undernutrition due to caregiving burden. This study examined whether lower perceived closeness with care recipients is associated with poor dietary habits among caregivers. Data from Japan’s 2024 national family caregiver panel survey were analyzed, focusing on caregivers aged ≥65 (n = 496, mean age = 70.8, SD = 5.0). Poor dietary habits were defined as a Dietary Variety Score < 4, with self-rated closeness as the independent variable. Covariates included caregivers’ age, economic status, solitary eating, chronic diseases, relationship with the care recipient, level of care needed, dementia diagnosis, caregiver burden, and use of caregiving services. Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted. The study was approved by the research ethics committee (No. 24U01) . Results showed that 15.4% of men and 17.7% of women reported low closeness with care recipients. Poor dietary habits were found in 42.2% of men and 24.4% of women. Multivariate analysis revealed no significant association between closeness and dietary habits in men. However, among women, lower closeness was significantly linked to poor dietary habits (odds ratio = 3.01, 95% CI [1.21, 7.54], p = .018) . These findings suggest that women caregivers with lower perceived closeness to care recipients may be more vulnerable to poor dietary habits, whereas men, typically less involved in meal preparation, may be less affected. Future studies should explore how caregiver-recipient relationships influence appetite and food choices. (P < 0.001), and lower well-being (P< 0.001). These findings suggest that over half of FDWs experience ERI and nearly half experience poor well-being. Therefore, targeted support is needed, including caregiving training, motivational career development, mental health resources, and assistance for those lacking support.

FAQs

What question does the study address?

It examines whether lower perceived closeness with care recipients is associated with poor dietary habits among family caregivers.

How were “poor dietary habits” defined?

Poor dietary habits were defined using a Dietary Variety Score below 4.

What did the results show by sex?

Among women, lower closeness was significantly linked to poor dietary habits (odds ratio 3.01, 95% CI 1.21–7.54, p=.018), while no significant association was found for men.

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by Quinn Holloway