Journal of Nutrition in Gerontology and Geriatrics最新文献

The underweight status among older adults in India and its association with other health risks has received little attention. Using nationally representative data from the first wave of the Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI, 2017-18), this study examined the underweight status among the Indian older adults and investigated its relationship with various health outcomes. The effective sample size of this study was 28,050 older adults aged 60 years or above. Multivariable logistic and linear regression models were employed to meet the objectives of the study. Underweight status was found to be negatively associated functional health, cognitive function, and grip strength. However, no significant association was observed between underweight status and depressive symptoms. Moreover, socioeconomic, demographic, and geographic factors were identified as strong determinants of underweight status among Indian older adults. India has implemented a wide range of nutrition policies that primarily focus on children, mothers, and adolescents. While these policies are important, it is equally crucial to develop interventions specifically tailored for adults and older adults.

Weight loss may benefit older adults with obesity. However, it is unknown whether individuals with different frailty phenotypes have different outcomes following weight loss. Community-dwelling adults aged ≥65 (n = 53) with a body mass index ≥30 kg/m² were recruited for a six-month, single-arm, technology-based weight loss study. A 45-item frailty index identified frailty status using subjective and objective measures from a baseline geriatric assessment. At baseline, n = 22 participants were classified as pre-frail (41.5%) and n = 31 were frail (58.5%), with no differences in demographic characteristics. While weight decreased significantly in both groups (pre-frail: 90.8 ± 2.7 kg to 85.5 ± 2.4 kg (p < 0.001); frail: 102.7 ± 3.4 kg to 98.5 ± 3.3 kg (p < 0.001), no differences were observed between groups for changes in weight (p = 0.30), appendicular lean mass/height² (p = 0.47), or fat-free mass (p = 0.06). Older adults with obesity can safely lose weight irrespective of frailty status using a technology-based approach. Further investigation is needed to determine whether the impact of specific lifestyle interventions differ by frailty status.

Factors allowing rural, community-dwelling 80+ year-olds to thrive remain unexplored. Isolation can impact this vulnerable population. In this study, patients were prospectively surveyed for age, gender, cohabitation (self, spouse, family) and location (suburban, rural, and isolated). Mini-nutritional assessment short form (MNA-SF) and BMI were obtained. A p < 0.05 represented statistical significance. Patients (n = 167) were mostly female (120; 71.9%) with an average overweight BMI (26.5) and low-normal MNA-SF scores (11.8). Most live alone (49.7%), followed by spousal (31.7%) and family (18.6%) cohabitation. Over 80% are rural (71) or rural-isolated (67), and of these, 83% had normal nutrition. Self-habitation correlated with lower MNA-SF scores (p = 0.02). Normal BMIs correlated with family cohabitation (OR = 0.90 [CI: 0.82-0.99]) and nourished MNA-SF scores with spousal cohabitation (OR = 1.69; CI: 1.15-2.47) rather than living alone. Self-habitation increases vulnerability to obesity and malnutrition. Interventions should aim to maintain independence while improving the effects of habitation on nutrition.

Dietary assessments are important clinical tools used by Registered Dietitians (RDs). Current methods pose barriers to accurately assess the nutritional intake of older adults due to age-related increases in risk for cognitive decline and more complex health histories. Our qualitative study explored whether implementing Voice assistant systems (VAS) could improve current dietary recall from the perspective of 20 RDs. RDs believed the implementing VAS in dietary assessments of older adults could potentially improve patient accuracy in reporting food intake, recalling portion sizes, and increasing patient-provider efficiency during clinic visits. RDs reported that low technology literacy in older adults could be a barrier to implementation. Our study provides a better understanding of how VAS can better meet the needs of both older adults and RDs in managing and assessing dietary intake.

While food and eating are important determinants of health, there is limited information on how they affect quality of life (QOL). This study aimed to understand (1) the factors that impact QOL, (2) the effect of food and eating on QOL, from the perspective of community-dwelling older adults. Twenty-five older adults completed semi-structured interviews. The constant comparative method was used to assign codes to participant's responses and organize them into categories, which were used to form a conceptual framework. Five main themes emerged showing factors affecting QOL: health and vitality; independence; mental and emotional well-being; socialization and support; and activities. Four themes were identified demonstrating how food and eating affect QOL: food access and choice; food preparation; health and vitality; and food enjoyment. Relationships between themes suggest food and eating have a broad effect on factors impacting QOL. To develop and tailor community interventions to improve older adults' QOL, measurement tools should include these effects.

We aimed to examine the association of food consumption patterns, measured by dietary diversity score (DDS) or food consumption score (FCS), with handgrip strength (HGS) among adults aged ≥55 years in Indonesia. This is a cross-sectional study involving 4351 middle-aged and older adults from the Indonesian Family Life Survey Fifth Wave (IFLS-5), collected in 2014-2015. A weighted linear regression model was used to examine the association of DDS or FCS with HGS in crude and adjusted models. In the adjusted models and compared to those with low DDS or poor FCS, those with medium/high DDS and borderline/acceptable FCS were associated with a higher mean of HGS. Good food consumption patterns, as reflected by high DDS or acceptable FCS, were shown to be significantly associated with stronger HGS among adults aged 55 years or above. More targeted nutritional interventions to promote good food consumption patterns may help improve HGS among middle-aged and older adults in Indonesia.

The Congregate Nutrition Services support efforts to keep older Americans independent and engaged in their communities. We examined participants' self-reported reasons for initially attending the congregate meals program and whether reasons differed by participant characteristics. Descriptive statistics and tests of differences were used to compare participants (n = 1,072). Individuals attended congregate meals for several reasons, with the top two being socialization (36.3%) and age- or health-related reasons (18.7%). Those attending for socialization were less likely to be lower income, have food insecurity, or live with 3+ ADL limitations while participants who first attended due to age or health-related reasons were more likely to be low income, food insecure, and from historically marginalized populations. Health and social service professionals and community organizations could expand data collection on older adults in their communities and partner with congregate meal providers to encourage participation for individuals with unmet nutritional, health, and socialization needs.

Older adults are the fastest growing population in the United States. This group is at risk for developing chronic diseases resulting from high nutritional risk. The objective of this study was to assess nutritional risks and their key predictors among older adults. In this cross-sectional study, the Dietary Screening Tool, the Nutrition Self-efficacy Scale, food security, perceived health, and sociodemographics were measured. A total of 475, English-speaking adults, 50 years of age or older, residing in Maryland and attending senior congregate sites, participated in the study (urban n = 215, rural n = 260). Results showed 88.8% of participants were classified as being nutritionally 'at risk' or 'possible' risk. Higher education level, higher nutrition self-efficacy, and food security were significant predictors associated with lower nutritional risk among older adults. Implementing suitable and effective nutrition interventions requires assessing diet and identifying the needs specific to older adult populations. Utilizing appropriate screening tools is an important step in improving overall diets and may reduce barriers to adopting healthy eating behaviors in this population.

This exploratory study aimed to assess associations of baseline nutritional status and in-hospital step count with muscle quantity, quality, and function. Seventy-nine participants aged ≥70 years (mean age 79.1 years, 44.3% female) were recruited (elective colorectal surgery, emergency abdominal surgery, and general medical patients with infections). Baseline nutrition (Mini Nutritional Assessment) and in-hospital step count (Fitbit Inspire devices) were assessed. Ultrasound quadriceps, bioelectrical impedance analysis, and physical function were assessed at baseline and 7 (±2) days and 13 (±1) weeks post-admission/post-operatively. Baseline nutritional status was associated with baseline rectus femoris ultrasound echogenicity (normal: 58.5, at risk: 68.5, malnourished: 81.2; p = 0.025), bilateral anterior thigh thickness (normal: 5.07 cm, at risk: 4.03 cm, malnourished: 3.05 cm; p = 0.021), and skeletal muscle mass (Sergi equation) (normal: 21.6 kg, at risk: 18.2 kg, malnourished: 12.0 kg; p = 0.007). Step count was associated with baseline patient-reported physical function (<900 37.1, ≥900 44.5; p = 0.010). There was a significant interaction between nutrition, step count, and time for skeletal muscle mass (Janssen equation) (p = 0.022).

Objective: To investigate factors associated with the nutritional status in institutionalized Mexican older adults.

Material and methods: In this cross-sectional study of residents in three long-term care facilities (LTCFs) in Monterrey, Mexico, a medical history, Mini-Mental State Examination, Barthel index, and geriatric depression scale, and Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) were performed. Risk of malnutrition and malnutrition status were defined as MNA 17-23.5 and <17, respectively.

Results: Residents (n = 280) had a median age of 85 years and 72.1% were female. A total of 116 (41.4%) were at risk of malnutrition and 35 (12.5%) were malnourished. Having malnutrition or being at risk of malnutrition was associated with age (OR = 1.048), functional dependence (OR = 8.376), body mass index (BMI) <22 (OR = 7.518), cognitive impairment (OR = 2.210), urinary incontinence (OR = 2.397), previous stroke (OR = 2.870), Parkinson's disease (OR = 5.193), use of calcium channel blockers (OR = 3.706), and use of atypical antipsychotics (OR = 2.277). Having benign prostatic hyperplasia (OR = 0.067) or the use of angiotensin II receptor blockers (OR = 0.038) were related to being well-nourished.

Conclusions: In a population of residents of three LTCFs in Mexico, we found a high prevalence of malnutrition or being at risk of malnutrition. This underscores the need to implement guidelines for the prompt identification of this condition and further explanation of the factors identified as possibly related to malnutrition.