Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of dietary protein intake and regular exercise on low back pain (LBP) using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. A total of 2367 middle-aged and older adults (≥50 years) who underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and plain radiography of the lumbar spine were included. LBP was defined using a questionnaire to determine the presence of LBP lasting more than 30 days in the preceding three months. Twenty-four-hour dietary recall data were used to estimate protein intake, and regular exercise was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that men who did not perform regular exercise had a high probability of LBP (odds ratio [OR] 2.34; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.24–4.44). Low protein intake (<0.8 g/kg/day) was associated with high odds for LBP in women (OR 1.83; 95% CI 1.12–2.99). Low protein intake and lack of regular exercise were also associated with a higher probability of LBP in women (OR 2.91; 95% CI 1.48–5.72). We recommend that women over 50 years of age consume the recommended daily amount of protein to prevent LBP and engage in regular exercise.
Highlights
Low back pain (LBP) is a common condition with a reported prevalence of 1.0% to58.1% [1]
This study evaluated the relationship between daily dietary protein intake, regular exercise, and LBP using nationally representative data from the KNHANES
We demonstrated that engagement in exercise and sufficient protein intake are associated with a low probability of LBP in middle-aged and older adults in the general Korean population
Summary
Low back pain (LBP) is a common condition with a reported prevalence of 1.0% to58.1% [1]. Low back pain (LBP) is a common condition with a reported prevalence of 1.0% to. Chronic pain in older adults, which is commonly associated with musculoskeletal disorders, results in adverse health outcomes, including disability, falls, depression, insomnia, and social isolation [3]. LBP is associated with a sedentary lifestyle. A recent systematic review and metaanalysis reported that strengthening by stretching or aerobic exercises helped to prevent. Exercise therapy was found to be effective in reducing pain and improving functionality in patients with non-specific LBP in the absence of specific pathology [5,6]. Older patients encounter difficulty when trying to incorporate exercise into their daily lives in the real world due to frailty and poor performance caused by low muscle strength, comorbidities, and progressive degenerative changes in multiple joints
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