Cardiovascular research institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences ARYA Atherosclerosis Journal 1735-3955 13 2 2017 05 15 Healthy eating index and cardiovascular risk factors among Iranian elderly individuals 56 65 10571 EN Nafiseh Rashidipour-Fard Shahid Motahari Hospital, Fooladshahr, Isfahan, Iran Majid Karimi Shahid Motahari Hospital, Fooladshahr, Isfahan, Iran Sahar Saraf-Bank Food Security Research Center AND Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Mohammad Hassan Baghaei Shahid Motahari Hospital, Fooladshahr, Isfahan, Iran Fahimeh Haghighatdoost Food Security Research Center AND Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Leila Azadbakht Professor, Food Security Research Center AND Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan AND Diabetes Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute AND Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences Tehran, Iran Journal Article 2015 12 14 BACKGROUND: Concurrent with increase in life expectancy, the prevalence of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases (CVD) has also increased. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the association between healthy eating index (HEI) score and CVD risk factors among Iranian elderly. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed on a sample of elderly persons from Isfahan, Iran, in 2013. Totally, 107 retired subjects were entered in statistical analysis. A semi- quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to assess the dietary intake of participants. Anthropometric measurements and blood pressure of participants were determined. Fasting blood samples were taken for biochemical assessments. RESULTS: The results of linear regression determined a significant inverse association between HEI score and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance [HOMA-IR, β = -0.238 (-0.426, -0.048)], fasting blood glucose [β = -0.194 (-0.383, -0.004)], and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP, β = -0.196, (-0.386, -0.005)]. In addition, a significant positive association was observed between HEI score and high density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C, β = 0.196 (0.006, 0.385)] levels. However, after adjusting for confounding variables, these significant associations were disappeared except for hs-CRP [β = -0.074 (-0.145, -0.003)]. CONCLUSION: Healthy eating index was associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular risk factors in old people. It seems that more adherence with healthy eating index could provide cardio-protective effects in elderly persons.    https://arya.mui.ac.ir/article_10571_447664a3141eb12771bd889d6d4e1bdb.pdf