Researchers in Bangladesh studied 400 people aged 60 and older to understand how their eating habits and health problems affect whether they visit doctors. They found that people who eat more beans, colorful vegetables, and fruits tend to go to the doctor more often. Interestingly, people with heart disease were more likely to seek medical care, but those with diabetes were less likely to visit doctors even though they needed care. The study suggests that improving diet quality and encouraging healthcare visits could help older adults stay healthier.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether what older people eat and what health problems they have influence how often they visit doctors
  • Who participated: 400 people aged 60 years and older living in Noakhali, Bangladesh, who visited a general hospital between January and March 2024
  • Key finding: People who eat beans, orange vegetables, and fruits visit doctors more often, while those who eat processed meat and sugary baked goods visit less frequently. People with heart disease visit doctors more, but those with diabetes visit less despite needing care.
  • What it means for you: Eating healthier foods may encourage older adults to take better care of their health by visiting doctors regularly. However, this is one study in one region, so results may differ in other places.

The Research Details

This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers collected information from 400 older adults at one point in time (January to March 2024) rather than following them over months or years. Participants answered questions about what they typically eat, what health problems they have, and how often they visit doctors. The researchers used a scoring system to measure diet quality and counted which health conditions were most common. This type of study is good for finding patterns and associations, but it cannot prove that one thing directly causes another.

Understanding why older adults do or don’t visit doctors is important because regular healthcare visits can catch serious problems early. In Bangladesh and many developing countries, older adults often don’t get enough medical care. By learning which foods and health conditions are connected to doctor visits, researchers can design better programs to help seniors stay healthy.

This study was published in PLOS ONE, a well-respected scientific journal. The researchers used a structured questionnaire to collect consistent information from all participants. However, because this was a snapshot study rather than following people over time, we cannot be completely certain about cause-and-effect relationships. The study was done in one district of Bangladesh, so results may not apply to older adults in other countries or regions.

What the Results Show

The study found that older adults in Bangladesh have moderate diet quality overall, with an average score of 11.77 out of a possible scale. Nearly all participants (98.2%) had diabetes, and almost half (44.3%) experienced musculoskeletal pain (joint and muscle aches). About 30% of the participants visited a healthcare provider at least once per month. People who regularly ate beans, orange vegetables rich in vitamin A (like carrots and sweet potatoes), and other fruits were significantly more likely to visit doctors. In contrast, those who frequently ate processed meat and sugary baked goods were less likely to seek healthcare. The connection between diet and doctor visits was statistically significant, meaning these patterns were unlikely to happen by chance.

The study also revealed important patterns about specific health conditions. People with heart disease were nearly six times more likely to visit doctors compared to those without heart disease, which makes sense because heart disease requires regular monitoring. People with musculoskeletal pain were also more likely to seek care. Surprisingly, people with diabetes were much less likely to visit doctors despite having the most common chronic disease in the group. Similarly, those with food allergies were significantly less likely to seek healthcare. These unexpected findings suggest that some older adults with serious conditions may not realize they need regular medical care.

Previous research has shown that diet quality affects overall health in older adults, but few studies have looked at whether diet influences how often people visit doctors. This study adds new information by showing a connection between healthy eating and healthcare-seeking behavior. The finding that people with certain conditions (like diabetes) don’t visit doctors as often as they should matches patterns seen in other countries, suggesting this is a global health challenge.

This study has several important limitations. First, it only included people who visited a hospital, so it may not represent all older adults in the region. Second, the study collected information at only one time point, so researchers cannot determine whether eating healthy foods causes people to visit doctors more, or whether people who visit doctors more often learn to eat healthier. Third, the study relied on people remembering what they ate and their health history, which can be inaccurate. Finally, results are from one district in Bangladesh and may not apply to older adults in other countries with different healthcare systems and food availability.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, older adults should aim to eat more beans, colorful vegetables (especially orange ones), and fruits as part of a healthy diet. This eating pattern appears to be associated with more regular healthcare visits. Additionally, older adults with chronic diseases like diabetes should schedule regular doctor visits even if they feel okay, because regular check-ups can prevent serious complications. Healthcare providers should encourage patients to eat better and explain why regular medical care is important. Confidence level: Moderate—this study shows associations but cannot prove cause-and-effect.

This research is most relevant to older adults aged 60 and over, especially those living in South Asia or similar regions. Family members and caregivers of older adults should also pay attention, as they can help encourage healthy eating and regular doctor visits. Healthcare providers and public health officials in developing countries may find this information useful for designing programs to improve health in older populations. People in developed countries with different healthcare systems may see different patterns.

Changes in eating habits typically take 2-4 weeks to become routine. However, the benefits of regular healthcare visits may take several months to become apparent, as doctors need time to monitor health trends and catch problems early. Improvements in overall health from better diet and regular medical care usually become noticeable within 3-6 months.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily servings of beans, orange vegetables, and fruits (aim for at least 5 servings of vegetables and fruits combined per day). Also log doctor visit dates and reasons to monitor healthcare-seeking patterns over time.
  • Set a monthly reminder to schedule a doctor’s appointment, and use the app to plan meals that include beans and colorful vegetables. Create a shopping list feature that highlights these healthy foods to make grocery shopping easier.
  • Monitor three metrics monthly: (1) average daily servings of healthy foods, (2) frequency of healthcare visits, and (3) overall health ratings. Create a dashboard showing trends over 3-6 months to help users see if healthier eating correlates with more regular doctor visits.

This research describes associations found in one study of older adults in Bangladesh and should not be considered medical advice. Individual dietary needs vary based on personal health conditions, medications, and allergies. Before making significant changes to your diet or healthcare routine, consult with your doctor or a registered dietitian. This study cannot prove that eating certain foods causes people to visit doctors more often—it only shows these patterns exist together. If you have chronic diseases like diabetes or heart disease, regular medical care is essential regardless of diet quality.