Measurement and Determinants of Diet Quality in Older Adults

NCT07780708 | Recruiting

• 3 other identifiers: IRB-25-0952P30AG021684UL1TR001881
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 125
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this observational study is to learn about dietary quality and barriers to healthy eating among older adults who participate in the Los Angeles County Food Rx Produce Distribution Program. The study will also evaluate whether a newer dietary assessment tool, the Global Diet Quality Questionnaire (GDQQ), performs similarly to an established dietary assessment tool, the Mediterranean Diet Scale (PREDIMED MDS), in measuring diet quality among adults aged 60 years and older. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Is the GDQQ associated with diet quality scores measured by the PREDIMED Mediterranean Diet Scale?
• Does the GDQQ predict self-reported body mass index (BMI) as well as or better than the PREDIMED Mediterranean Diet Scale?
• What barriers and facilitators influence healthy eating and participation in produce distribution programs among older adults? Participants will:
• Complete questionnaires about their dietary habits, demographic characteristics, and food access experiences.
• Complete two dietary quality assessment tools: the PREDIMED Mediterranean Diet Scale and the Global Diet Quality Questionnaire.
• If randomly selected, participate in a one-time semi-structured interview to discuss healthy eating, food access, experiences with produce distribution events, and challenges to improving dietary quality.

Conditions

None Volunteer

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Global Diet Quality Questionnaire-Global Dietary Recommendations (GDQQ-GDR)

  The Global Diet Quality Questionnaire (GDQQ) can be used to generate a Global Dietary Recommendations (GDR) score that ranges from 0 to 18 and is associated with meeting World Health Organization (WHO) global dietary recommendations. The GDR Score is calculated by combining indicators of dietary factors protective against noncommunicable diseases (NCD-Protect) and indicators of dietary factors that are promotive of noncommunicable disease (NCD-Risk).16 The NCD-Protect score (range 0-9) is based on consumption of nine food groups that are associated with meeting WHO recommendations on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, pulses, nuts and seeds, and fiber. The NCD-Risk Score is based on consumption of eight food groups that are negatively associated with meeting WHO recommendations on free sugar, salt, total and saturated fat, and red and processed meat.

  Participants will be asked the GDQQ surveyed once during the study period. Assessed once at enrollment during completion of baseline dietary quality questionnaires (approximately 15-20 minutes)

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Validation of GDQQ-GDR Against the PREDIMED Mediterranean Diet Scale and Self-Reported Body Mass Index

  Assessed once at enrollment using data collected during completion of dietary quality questionnaires and demographic survey (approximately 15-20 minutes)

Other Outcomes (3)

• Perceived Barriers to Healthy Eating

  Assessed once through series of questions during a semi-structured interview conducted for randomly selected participants following completion of dietary quality questionnaires.

• Perceived Benefits and Challenges of Participation in Produce Distribution Events

  One time at enrollment. Assessed through series of questions during a semi-structured interview conducted for randomly selected participants following completion of dietary quality questionnaires.

• Knowledge and Perceptions of Dietary Quality and Chronic Disease Prevention

  One time at enrollment. Assessed through series of questions during a semi-structured interview conducted for randomly selected participants following completion of dietary quality questionnaires.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 60 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population will be drawn from community-dwelling older adults who participate in the Los Angeles County Food Rx Produce Distribution Program at Olive View Medical Center and affiliated produce distribution sites. Participants represent a predominantly low-income, food-insecure population residing in Los Angeles County who utilize produce prescription and food assistance services to improve access to fresh fruits and vegetables. The study population includes culturally and linguistically diverse community members, with recruitment conducted in English and Spanish through partnerships with the National Health Foundation, Food Rx program staff, volunteers, and community stakeholders.

You may qualify if:

• Participants eligible for enrollment in either the survey or interview component must meet the following criteria:
• Be 60 years of age or older
• Be a regular attendee (i.e., more than one visit) at L.A. County Food Rx produce distribution events
• Be able to communicate in English or Spanish, as these are the languages in which study materials and interviews are available
• Be able to provide informed consent and complete the brief study activities These criteria reflect the study's focus on older adults at increased risk for chronic disease due to food insecurity and poor diet quality. English and Spanish were selected based on the primary languages spoken at Food Rx distribution sites and the capacity of the study team to support accurate, culturally sensitive data collection.

You may not qualify if:

• Individuals will be excluded if they:
• Are younger than 60 years old
• Are first-time attendees at the produce distribution site (i.e., not familiar with program operations)
• Are unable to understand or communicate in English or Spanish

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of California, Los Angeles: lead
• National Institute on Aging (NIA): collaborator
• National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS): collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Hubert H. Humphrey Comprehensive Health Center

Los Angeles, California, 90003, United States

RECRUITING

Central Study Contacts

Frederick Ferguson, MD, MS

CONTACT

13366862355; fferguson@mednet.ucla.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: ECOLOGIC OR COMMUNITY
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Health Sciences Assistant Clinical Professor Family Medicine

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 24, 2026
• First Posted: August 21, 2026
• Study Start: February 26, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): October 1, 2026
• Last Updated: August 21, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Locations

US (1)