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• Women's food neophilia is positively linked to dietary quality of both partners. • Men's food neophilia shows no association with both partners' dietary quality. • Women play a dominant role in shaping older couples' dietary habits. • Future interventions could involve both partners in a collaborative approach. Despite the benefits of a varied and balanced diet, many people do not follow the recommendations of dietary guidelines. One factor considered to influence food choices and therefore potentially important in promoting adherence to dietary guidelines is the willingness to try unfamiliar foods, also referred to as food neophilia. Given the importance of social influences on food choices, particularly among couples, food neophilia might influence not only one's own dietary quality but also that of one's partner. Using cross-sectional data from N = 390 older heterosexual couples (M = 64.0 years), the present study aimed to examine the relationship between food neophilia and dietary quality in the intra-couple context. For this purpose, participants completed the Variety Seeking Tendency Scale (VARSEEK) to measure neophilia. Dietary quality was scored using the NutriAct diet score, which was calculated based on a comprehensive assessment of dietary intake consisting of short-term (repeated 24 h-FLs) and long-term (FFQ) self-report instruments. An Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) was applied to examine potential intra- and interpersonal effects. The results of our dyadic analysis revealed a domination pattern, in that women's food neophilia was positively associated with both their own and their partner's dietary quality, while men's food neophilia showed no association with the dietary quality of both partners. This highlights the dominant role of women in shaping older couples' dietary habits, with their food neophilia emerging as a contributing factor. Our findings underscore the need for further in-depth research to develop interventions targeting health-promoting eating in older age using the dynamics within couples. Future studies could explore interventional strategies to support women's dominant role while empowering both partners to collaboratively shape their dietary habits, emphasizing the potential benefits of trying unfamiliar foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The VARSEEK's unidimensionality was supported for its German version by EFA and CFA. • The German VARSEEK has adequate internal consistency and test–retest reliability. • The German VARSEEK shows adequate convergent validity. • The German VARSEEK is suitable for assessing food neophilia in Germany. As part of a healthy diet, guidelines recommend eating a variety of foods to reduce risks associated with malnutrition. However, whether people follow this recommendation substantially depends on their willingness to try unfamiliar foods, also referred to as food neophilia. This study aimed at comprehensively validating the German version of the Variety Seeking Tendency Scale (VARSEEK), a common instrument to assess food neophilia. Two independent sub-studies were conducted to examine the German VARSEEK's psychometric properties. Study 1 (N = 532, aged 18–91 years) and Study 2 (N = 468, aged 18–73 years) each comprised a German community sample. Data were collected both online and via a paper–pencil version. Whereas Study 1 included an EFA, Study 2 comprised a CFA, analyses of the VARSEEK's reliability and construct validity, and different explorative group comparisons. EFA and CFA results supported the original scale's unidimensionality. Internal consistency (α =.93) and test-retest reliability (r =.87) of the scale were high. VARSEEK scores were positively associated with openness, sensation seeking, and extraversion and negatively associated with food neophobia, general neophobia, and trait anxiety. Construct validity was further established by showing positive associations with ratings of familiarity with and willingness to try familiar and unfamiliar foods. Whereas group comparisons revealed no significant differences for sex, age, and weight status, analyses showed that people who belonged to the upper class were more food neophilic than those assigned to the lower and middle class. Findings further underscore that the German VARSEEK is a reliable and valid instrument for the assessment of food neophilia in the German population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Eating in absence of hunger is quite common and often associated with an increased energy intake co-existent with a poorer food choice. Intuitive eating (IE), i.e., eating in accordance with internal hunger and satiety cues, may protect from overeating. IE, however, requires accurate perception and processing of one's own bodily signals, also referred to as interoceptive sensitivity. Training interoceptive sensitivity might therefore be an effective method to promote IE and prevent overeating. As most studies on eating behavior are conducted in younger adults and close social relationships influence health-related behavior, this study focuses on middle-aged and older couples. Methods: The present pilot randomized intervention study aims at investigating the feasibility and effectiveness of a 21-day mindfulness-based training program designed to increase interoceptive sensitivity. A total of N = 60 couples participating in the NutriAct Family Study, aged 50–80 years, will be recruited. This randomized-controlled intervention study comprises three measurement points (pre-intervention, post-intervention, 4-week follow-up) and a 21-day training that consists of daily mindfulness-based guided audio exercises (e.g., body scan). A three-arm intervention study design is applied to compare two intervention groups (training together as a couple vs. training alone) with a control group (no training). Each measurement point includes the assessment of self-reported and objective indicators of interoceptive sensitivity (primary outcome), self-reported indicators of intuitive and maladaptive eating (secondary outcomes), and additional variables. A training evaluation applying focus group discussions will be conducted to assess participants' overall acceptance of the training and its feasibility. Discussion: By investigating the feasibility and effectiveness of a mindfulness-based training program to increase interoceptive sensitivity, the present study will contribute to a deeper understanding of how to promote healthy eating in older age. Trial registration: German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS), no. DRKS00024903. Retrospectively registered on April 21, 2021. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity with age and associated health risks, older adults are an important target group to promote healthy weight. Evidence indicates that maladaptive eating behaviors are associated with higher BMI. However, older adults are often neglected in this research field. This prospective study aims to clarify the temporal relationship between BMI and maladaptive eating behaviors among older adults. In total, 964 participants of the NutriAct Family Study (M age = 63.34 years) completed web-based questionnaires two times (M = 3.33 years apart). BMI was assessed via self-reported height and weight, and maladaptive eating behaviors with the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ). The stability and longitudinal associations were analyzed using cross-lagged models. Cross-sectional analysis showed positive correlations between BMI and emotional (r = 0.218), external (r = 0.101), as well as restrictive eating (r = 0.160). All maladaptive eating behaviors (β > 0.684) and BMI (β > 0.922) were longitudinally stable. No significant bidirectional relationships were found between BMI and maladaptive eating behaviors over time, except for BMI predicting restrictive eating (β = 0.133). The observed cross-sectional, but not longitudinal associations between BMI and maladaptive eating behaviors underline the need for prospective study designs to deepen the understanding of the role of maladaptive eating behaviors in weight management among the general population. Maladaptive eating behaviors among older adults may have already consolidated and play a smaller role in explaining weight course, compared to early life like childhood. • First study among older adults on the stability of maladaptive eating behaviors • Emotional, external, and restrictive eating cross-sectionally correlated with BMI. • Maladaptive eating behaviors and Body Mass Index showed prospective stability. • Body Mass Index predicted restrictive eating behavior in a cross-lagged model. • No prospective association between Body Mass Index and emotional or external eating [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]