Nourishing longevity: sustainable healthy eating behaviors and successful aging in community-dwelling older adults, Abha, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Successful aging (SA) is a key focus in gerontological research, highlighting the importance of maintaining physical, cognitive, and social well-being. Nutrition is a critical determinant of health in older adults, and sustainable healthy eating behaviors are increasingly recognized for their role in promoting SA and longevity. However, evidence examining this relationship within the Saudi context remains limited.
AIM: This study investigated the relationship between sustainable healthy eating behaviors and successful aging among community-dwelling older adults.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 community-dwelling older adults aged 60 years and above, recruited from primary health care centers in the Abha district of Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using the Successful Aging Scale (SAS) and the Sustainable and Healthy Eating Behaviors Scale (SHEBS). Spearman's rho correlation and a multivariate general linear model were applied to assess associations and predictors.
RESULTS: The findings showed that sustainable, healthy eating behaviors (SHEB) and SA scores were both relatively high among participants. Primary education, sufficient income, normal BMI, and favorable lifestyle factors emerged as significant predictors for both SHEB and SA.
CONCLUSION: The study shows that SHEB emerged as a significant predictor of SA. In addition to dietary practices, sociodemographic factors, physical activity, and sleep quality contributed significantly to SA outcomes. These findings underscore the need for culturally tailored strategies that support sustainable nutrition and promote healthy lifestyle behaviors among older adults in Saudi Arabia, thereby supporting SA.