Fluid Intake, Fiber Consumption and Physical Activity Related to Constipation among Elderly, Which One Is More Important? A cross sectional study from Iran

Abstract

AbstractBackground: Chronic constipation is a common, self-reported, symptom-based disorder which can significantly impact an individual’s health-related quality of life [1]. Constipation affects the quality of life of a person with social problems and imposes many financial costs on the person The prevalence of constipation is estimated at 1 to 80% around the worldods: Inadequate fluid consumption is touted as a common culprit in constipation, and increasing fluid intake is a frequently recommended treatment. Evidence suggests, however, that increasing fluids is only of usefulness in individuals in a hypo hydrated state, and is of little utility in EU hydrated individuals".There is a strong association between obesity and constipation . Although obesity is also associated with constipation; it is not recognized as a causal factor of constipation. Another investigation indicated constipation and obesity have common risk factors. However, little is known about constipation in individuals with severe obesity and the associated factors The current study was conducted to investigate the effect of Water consumption, fiber intake, and PA on Constipation and which one is more critical by considering Mediating effect of BMIMethods:The study was a cross-sectional study performed on 400 older adults in 2019 referring to the comprehensive health service centers in Karaj, the capital of Alborz province,several instruments included demographic and antro pometric traits , PASE,fluid intakes, FFQ و WHO Qol, wexner cospitation were used to collect data.ُSPSS and lizrelsoftwares were used to analysize dataResults: Based on the final fitted model, PA is the most critical factor related to constipation compared to fluid intake and fiber consumption. The finding of the present study was in line with several studies.Based on the final fitted model, fiber consumption is the second most factor affecting constipation, and there is a negative association between constipation and fiber intake.Conclusions: As price is one of the barriers to fiber consumption in the elderly, the recommendation to do Physical activity such as walking to solve the problem of constipation is efficient and inexpensive advice for people with different socioeconomic statuses.