Lifestyles and Visual Disability among Hispanic/Latino Individuals of Diverse Backgrounds and Ages in the United States: Results from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL).

Abstract

Purpose : Visual disability relative to lifestyle has not been assessed across Hispanic/Latinos of diverse backgrounds. We examined the relationship between physical activity (PA) and diet score (DS) across Hispanic/Latinos, and their relationship to visual disability.

Methods : Design: Multicenter, prospective, population-based Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) include 9663 participants age ≥ 40 years(y) completing Visit #2 (2014-2017). Age-adjusted, sex-specific prevalence of visual disability was calculated weighting for study design. Analyses included those with Cuban (n=1455), Dominican (n=804), Mexican (n=3746), Puerto Rican (n=1485), Central American (n=965), South American (n=669) and Other (n=199) backgrounds. High PA, ascertained by a modified Global Physical Activity Questionnaire, was defined as the top 40%. Dietary intake was ascertained by two 24-hour dietary recalls administered 6 weeks apart. High DS, calculated by sex-specific quintile of daily intake of saturated fatty acids, potassium, calcium, and fiber, was defined as the top 40%. Main outcome measures: Visual disability, defined as “being blind or having serious difficulty seeing even when wearing glasses,” based on the US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

Results : Results: Analysis included 9324 participants with complete data (35.9% men), with a mean age of 55.4y men and 56.5y women. Overall age-adjusted visual disability prevalence was 10.6% (95%CI; (9.2, 12.1) men, and 13.5% (12.0, 14.9) women. Subjects with high PA had a lower prevalence of visual disability: men 9.7% (7.4, 12.0) and women 12.9% (10.7, 15.1). Cubans reported the lowest percent of high PA (Fig 1, p < 0.001). Participants with high DS reported a lower prevalence of visual disability both in men 8.2% (6.5, 9.9) and women 8.7% (7.2, 10.1). Puerto Ricans had the lowest percent of high DS (Fig 1, p < 0.001).

Conclusions : Conclusions: Results identify significant visual disability in US Hispanic/Latinos, with a higher prevalence in those with lower PA and poorer diet. The significant variability across diverse groups supports objectives of SOL Ojos, an ancillary HCHS/SOL study aiming to assess associations of lifestyle and objectively measured chronic eye disease in a diverse group of Hispanics/Latinos.

This is a 2021 ARVO Annual Meeting abstract.