Trends of Health and Dietary Disparities by Economic Status among Elderly Individuals in Japan from 2004 to 2014: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Survey

This study examines the changes in health and dietary disparities by economic status among elderly individuals in Japan from 2004 to 2014. The study design utilized a repeated cross-sectional approach, using data from the Survey of Attitudes among the Elderly toward Daily Life in 2004 and 2014. Logistic regression analysis was performed with subjective economic status, survey year, and their interactions as independent variables, and self-rated health, dietary satisfaction, and intake of balanced meals as dependent variables. The results revealed that disparities in self-rated health, dietary satisfaction, and intake of a balanced meal were present due to economic status. Furthermore, the disparities in self-rated health, dietary satisfaction, and balanced meal intake by economic status remained unchanged from 2004 to 2014 (P for interaction ≥ 0.05). The findings were consistent in sensitivity analyses conducted on those aged 75 and older, as well as on long-term care insurance recipients.