Study Reveals Five Distinct Eating Patterns Among Older US Adults, Linking Soft Foods to Food Insecurity
A new analysis of national data has identified five distinct dietary patterns among Americans aged 60 and older, with researchers finding that those who consume predominantly soft foods face higher rates of food insecurity and poorer health.
Published in Public Health Nutrition, the study examined data from 5,062 US adults aged 60 and older from the 2013–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Researchers used cluster analysis of 24-hour dietary recalls to identify the patterns, while diet quality was measured using the Healthy Eating Index-2020 (HEI-2020). Food insecurity was assessed using both economic (Adult Food Security Survey Module) and physical (Physical Food Security Scale) measures.
The Five Dietary Patterns
Smoothies, juices, soups, and grain drinks (53%)
This pattern, which describes the majority of older adults, is associated with moderate diet quality but the lowest protein and energy intake.
Yogurt and cooked cereals (11%)
This group achieved the highest HEI-2020 score and is associated with healthier body weight.
Cured meats, pastries, and sandwiches (18%)
Characterized by poor diet quality, this pattern is predominantly seen in obese males aged 60–69 who smoke.
Meats, quick breads, and alcohol (11%)
Similar to the previous group, this pattern also reflects poor diet quality and a comparable demographic profile.
Vegetables and seafood (7%)
Closely resembling a Mediterranean diet, this pattern boasts the highest diet quality and the lowest rate of food insecurity—just 0.5% combined economic and physical.
Key Findings on Soft Foods
Soft-food consumers showed higher vulnerability to food insecurity, poorer self-rated health, and higher hypertension prevalence.
The researchers noted that individuals whose diets rely heavily on soft foods—such as smoothies, soups, and grain drinks—appear to be particularly vulnerable. This group demonstrated not only higher rates of food insecurity but also worse self-rated health and a greater prevalence of hypertension.
Important Limitations
The authors emphasize that the study is cross-sectional and cannot establish causation. While the findings highlight clear associations between dietary patterns, food security, and health outcomes, further research is needed to determine whether these relationships are causal.