Association of Daily Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour with Protein Intake Patterns in Older Adults: A Multi-Study Analysis across Five Countries.

Ilianna Lourida,Anna Rolleston,Stefania Sette,Nuno Mendonça,Suvi M Virtanen,Aida Turrini,Marjolein Visser,Carol Jagger,Heli Tapanainen,Ngaire Kerse,Jolanda M A Boer,Ruth Teh

doi:10.3390/nu13082574

Abstract

Physical activity and protein intake are associated with ageing-related outcomes, including loss of muscle strength and functional decline, so may contribute to strategies to improve healthy ageing. We investigated the cross-sectional associations between physical activity or sedentary behaviour and protein intake patterns in community-dwelling older adults across five countries. Self-reported physical activity and dietary intake data were obtained from two cohort studies (Newcastle 85+ Study, UK; LiLACS, New Zealand Māori and Non-Māori) and three national food consumption surveys (DNFCS, The Netherlands; FINDIET, Finland; INRAN-SCAI, Italy). Associations between physical activity and total protein intake, number of eating occasions providing protein, number of meals with specified protein thresholds, and protein intake distribution over the day (calculated as a coefficient of variance) were assessed by regression and repeated measures ANOVA models adjusting for covariates. Greater physical activity was associated with higher total protein intake and more eating occasions containing protein, although associations were mostly explained by higher energy intake. Comparable associations were observed for sedentary behaviour in older adults in Italy. Evidence for older people with higher physical activity or less sedentary behaviour achieving more meals with specified protein levels was mixed across the five countries. A skewed protein distribution was observed, with most protein consumed at midday and evening meals without significant differences between physical activity or sedentary behaviour levels. Findings from this multi-study analysis indicate there is little evidence that total protein and protein intake patterns, irrespective of energy intake, differ by physical activity or sedentary behaviour levels in older adults.

Highlights

The older population is growing rapidly and so does the challenge of keeping an increasing number of old and very old adults healthy
We investigated the association between physical activity or sedentary behaviour and both overall protein intake and the timing of intake in community-dwelling older adults from two cohort studies (≥85 years; United Kingdom and New Zealand), and three national food consumption surveys (≥65 years; the Netherlands, Finland, and Italy)
NZ, similar to the Newcastle 85+ Study, a higher physical activity level was observed in men compared to women, and an inverse relationship between physical activity and the number of conditions and the number of disabilities (Māori and nonMāori), and a positive association between alcohol consumption and physical activity (Supplementary Materials Table S1)

Summary

Introduction

The older population is growing rapidly and so does the challenge of keeping an increasing number of old and very old adults healthy. Protein intake below the current recommended levels of 0.8 g/kg bodyweight/day (BW/d) has been associated with increased risk of adverse health outcomes, such as sarcopenia (age-related loss of muscle strength and mass), disability, frailty, and mortality in older adults [2,3,4,5,6,7]. Older adults usually eat less, including less protein, compared to their younger counterparts. This is largely due to physiological changes and medical conditions that may affect appetite and taste perception, reduced physical activity, and loss of independence, which may in turn limit shopping and food preparation [8]

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