Dietary Protein Intake in Older Adults from Ethnic Minorities in the Netherlands, a Mixed Methods Approach

Elvera Overdevest,Michael Tieland,Annemien Haveman-Nies,Irene Van Valkengoed,Mary Nicolaou,Halime Oztürk,Lisette De Groot,Peter Weijs,Berber Dorhout

doi:10.3390/nu13010184

Abstract

Optimizing protein intake is a novel strategy to prevent age associated loss of muscle mass and strength in older adults. Such a strategy is still missing for older adults from ethnic minority populations. Protein intake in these populations is expected to be different in comparison to the majority of the population due to several socio-cultural factors. Therefore, the present study examined the dietary protein intake and underlying behavioral and environmental factors affecting protein intake among older adults from ethnic minorities in the Netherlands. We analyzed frequency questionnaire (FFQ) data from the Healthy Life in an Urban Setting (HELIUS) cohort using ANCOVA to describe dietary protein intake in older adults from ethnic minorities in the Netherlands (N = 1415, aged >55 years, African Surinamese, South Asian Surinamese, Moroccan, and Turkish). Additionally, we performed focus groups among older adults from the same ethnic minority populations (N = 69) to discover behavioral and environmental factors affecting protein intake; 40–60% of the subjects did not reach minimal dietary protein recommendations needed to maintain muscle mass (1.0 g/kg bodyweight per day (BW/day)), except for Turkish men (where it was 91%). The major sources of protein originated from animal products and were ethnic specific. Participants in the focus groups showed little knowledge and awareness about protein and its role in aging. The amount of dietary protein and irregular eating patterns seemed to be the major concern in these populations. Optimizing protein intake in these groups requires a culturally sensitive approach, which accounts for specific protein product types and sociocultural factors.

Highlights

IntroductionIn many high-income countries, ethnic minority groups show a worse disease risk profile from a younger age and have lower life expectancies compared to the majority population [2]
The insights from our results provides a window of opportunity to develop an intervention aimed at optimizing protein intake in older ethnic minority populations in a real-life setting
Body mass index (BMI) was found in Dutch (26.3 ± 3.7 kg/m2 ) and the highest in Moroccan (28.2 ± 4.1 kg/m2 )

Summary

Introduction

In many high-income countries, ethnic minority groups show a worse disease risk profile from a younger age and have lower life expectancies compared to the majority population [2]. In the Netherlands, chronic diseases and physical limitations appear, on average, ten years earlier compared to the Dutch majority population [3,4,5,6,7]. A major risk factor for developing chronic diseases and physical limitations, is sarcopenia; the age-associated loss of skeletal muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance [8]. A recent paper described higher probable sarcopenia rates among older ethnic minority groups in the Netherlands (OR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.92–0.99) indicating a higher risk of developing chronic diseases compared to the Dutch majority population [9]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion