Diet, lifestyle and musculoskeletal health
type: CreativeWork
description: With advancing age, the musculoskeletal system undergoes a number of physical and physiological changes. These changes may manifest as loss in bone mass, muscle strength and physical function, thus increasing susceptibility to falls, fractures, disability, and osteoporosis. Multiple factors contribute to musculoskeletal decline, including modifiable factors such as dietary intake, physical activity and other lifestyle related factors. More specifically, observational evidence suggests that increased fruit and vegetable consumption may be associated with improved musculoskeletal health. However, there is a lack of direct evidence to support this concept. Of the intervention studies undertaken to date, the results have generally been inconsistent with some demonstrating beneficial effects of fruit and vegetables on musculoskeletal health and others showing no effect. Furthermore, this specific hypothesis has not yet been fully tested in intervention studies involving free living older men and women. The overall aim of the thesis was therefore to examine the effects of increased FV consumption on musculoskeletal health among adults aged 65 years and above. In order for a fruit and vegetable intervention to ultimately be effective in public health terms, it is imperative to firstly understand the barriers associated with increased fruit and vegetable consumption. Chapter 3 of the thesis provides an overview of barriers to fruit and vegetable consumption in older adults. The findings suggest that in order to improve fruit and vegetable consumption in older adults, strategies need to predominantly focus on increasing knowledge, awareness and consumption of a broader range of fruit and vegetables, including fruit and vegetable products and dishes, in order to increase liking; increasing knowledge and awareness of current recommendations and the benefits of fruit and vegetables for health and well-being; raising awareness regarding current inadequate intakes of fruit and in…
abstract: With advancing age, the musculoskeletal system undergoes a number of physical and physiological changes. These changes may manifest as loss in bone mass, muscle strength and physical function, thus increasing susceptibility to falls, fractures, disability, and osteoporosis. Multiple factors contribute to musculoskeletal decline, including modifiable factors such as dietary intake, physical activity and other lifestyle related factors. More specifically, observational evidence suggests that increased fruit and vegetable consumption may be associated with improved musculoskeletal health. However, there is a lack of direct evidence to support this concept. Of the intervention studies undertaken to date, the results have generally been inconsistent with some demonstrating beneficial effects of fruit and vegetables on musculoskeletal health and others showing no effect. Furthermore, this specific hypothesis has not yet been fully tested in intervention studies involving free living older men and women. The overall aim of the thesis was therefore to examine the effects of increased FV consumption on musculoskeletal health among adults aged 65 years and above. In order for a fruit and vegetable intervention to ultimately be effective in public health terms, it is imperative to firstly understand the barriers associated with increased fruit and vegetable consumption. Chapter 3 of the thesis provides an overview of barriers to fruit and vegetable consumption in older adults. The findings suggest that in order to improve fruit and vegetable consumption in older adults, strategies need to predominantly focus on increasing knowledge, awareness and consumption of a broader range of fruit and vegetables, including fruit and vegetable products and dishes, in order to increase liking; increasing knowledge and awareness of current recommendations and the benefits of fruit and vegetables for health and well-being; raising awareness regarding current inadequate intakes of fruit and in…
author: Neville, Charlotte
language: eng
date published: 2010-12
date modified: 2026-07-24T03:55:51Z
provider: Queen's University Belfast
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: Queen's University Belfast