Abstract
This study examined the effect of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet containing lean red meat on measures of body composition and muscle strength in a cohort of obese adults 65 and older; 36 males (n = 15) and females (n = 21) consumed 1800 kcal/day for 12 weeks under controlled feeding conditions. The study diet included daily intakes of 126 g of meat. Measures of body composition and muscle strength were obtained at weeks 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were provided every day for 12 weeks, and equal portions of meat were distributed at each meal. Significant effects of the study diet were detected across time for total body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, hip circumference, body fat percentage, absolute fat mass (AFM), and blood pressure such that a decrease (p < 0.001) was observed over 12 weeks. Significant effects of the study diet were detected across time for sit/stand (p < 0.001) such that an increase was observed. From baseline to study end, total body weight decreased by 6.3% (p < 0.001), body fat percentage decreased by 2.5% (p < 0.001), and absolute fat mass (AFM) decreased by 4.4 kg (p < 0.001). By the study end, skeletal muscle mass (SMM) was positively correlated with handgrip strength (R2 = 0.75; p = 0.001) and resting energy expenditure (REE) (R2 = 0.29; p = 0.001). Handgrip strength, gait, balance, and resting energy expenditure (REE) were well maintained (p > 0.05) throughout the study. These findings suggest that the DASH diet has the potential to be a tool to preserve muscle strength while reducing fat mass in obese older adults.
Highlights
Age-related declines in muscular mass resulting in sarcopenia is an important determinant of physical function, strength, and performance in older adults
The present study demonstrated that total body energy expenditure was well maintained (p > 0.05) throughout the study, and by the study end, the total body energy expenditure was moderately associated with skeletal muscle mass (R2 = 0.29, p = 0.001)
Per kg of body fat and muscle mass, energy expenditure was increased, even though the total amount of muscle mass and body weight were reduced. Such a finding is clinically important, as it suggests that the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet coupled with high-quality protein from lean red meat increases the efficiency to maintain muscle strength and energy expenditure. These findings show that despite the loss of total body mass, measures of muscular strength, muscle function, and resting energy expenditure were maintained or increased as a result of consuming daily intakes of 126 g of high-quality meat as a part of the study diet, suggesting an improved health status over time and support the updated definition of sarcopenia by the EWGSOP
Summary
Age-related declines in muscular mass resulting in sarcopenia is an important determinant of physical function, strength, and performance in older adults. As a result, decreased walking ability, increased fall risk, and disability (e.g., hip/leg fractures and head trauma) occur, leading to increased hospitalizations and rates of in-home care, overcrowding of assisted living facilities, declines in independence and quality of life, burdens on family members, and increased health-care costs. Within this population, an accumulation of fat mass occurs simultaneously with reduced muscle mass and strength leading to metabolic dysregulation, resulting in accelerated disease onset and increased mortality.
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