Medical Journal of the Islamic Republic Of Iran

en Association Between Lifestyle Adherence and Nutritional Status Among Older Adults in Astana, Kazakhstan: A Cross-Sectional Study Nutrition Nutrition Original Research Original Research Background: This study evaluated the association between healthy lifestyle adherence and nutritional habits, nutritional status, and anthropometric measurements among older citizens of Astana, Kazakhstan, focusing on dietary patterns and physical activity.    Methods: A cross-sectional, observational study was carried out among 100 Astana seniors aged 60–74 years, who were grouped according to their adherence to a healthy lifestyle. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated 98–item Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), physical activity was measured by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and nutritional status was evaluated using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), including total score and categories. Anthropometric measurements followed standardized procedures.    Results: The results observed significant differences between participants with higher adherence to a healthy lifestyle and those with lower adherence. The group with higher lifestyle adherence was associated with significantly lower BMI (25.08 ± 4.72 kg/m² vs. 30.39 ± 5.70 kg/m², mean difference = 5.31 kg/m², 95% CI: 3.23–7.39, P < 0.001) and a smaller waist circumference (82.64 ± 7.37 cm vs. 105.69 ± 8.32 cm, mean difference = 23.05 cm, 95% CI: 19.93–26.17, P < 0.001). Hip circumference and waist-to-hip ratio were lower in the higher adherence group (96.60 ± 5.28 vs. 111.45 ± 9.85 cm and 0.88 ± 0.10 vs. 0.96 ± 0.14, respectively; P < 0.001). They also consumed more fruits and vegetables per day (56% vs. 30%, P = 0.009). MNA scores were higher in the higher adherence group (25.8 ± 2.9 vs. 22.1 ± 3.4), with better nutritional status distribution.    Conclusion: Higher lifestyle adherence was associated with more favorable anthropometric indicators and generally healthier dietary practices, although less favorable behaviors related to sugar consumption and salt use were also observed among older adults in Kazakhstan. However, owing to the cross-sectional design, causal relationships cannot be inferred or established.   Older Adults, Nutritional status, Healthy lifestyle, Physical activity, Anthropometry, Mini Nutritional Assessment, Kazakhstan, Eating habits, Obesity 911 924 http://mjiri.iums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-10092-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Saule Tarjibayeva tardzhibaeva.s@amu.kz 2003194753284600100442 2003194753284600100442 No Department of Research Institute of Preventive Medicine named after Academician Y. Dalenov, Sharmanov National Medical University, Astana, Republic of Kazakhstan Aigul Abduldayeva abduldayeva.a@amu.kz 2003194753284600100443 2003194753284600100443 No Department of Research Institute of Preventive Medicine named after Academician Y. Dalenov, Sharmanov National Medical University, Astana, Republic of Kazakhstan Gulnur Doszhanova doszhanova_gulnura@mail.ru 2003194753284600100444 2003194753284600100444 Yes Department of Research Institute of Preventive Medicine named after Academician Y. Dalenov, Sharmanov National Medical University, Astana, Republic of Kazakhstan Gulziya Bidatova bidatova.g@amu.kz 2003194753284600100445 2003194753284600100445 No Department of Research Institute of Preventive Medicine named after Academician Y. Dalenov, Sharmanov National Medical University, Astana, Republic of Kazakhstan Saule Iskakova saule-62@mail.ru 2003194753284600100446 2003194753284600100446 No Department of Research Institute of Preventive Medicine named after Academician Y. Dalenov, Sharmanov National Medical University, Astana, Republic of Kazakhstan