Abstract
ABSTRACT Objective We evaluated factors associated with protein consumption by the elderly. Methods We performed a cross-sectional study in a sample of 295 elderly consumers of health facilities in São Caetano do Sul, São Paulo, Brazil. Protein consumption data (g and g/kg) were obtained through 24-hour dietary recalls, which was reapplied in a 30% sub-sample to estimate habitual consumption, with an interval of two weeks. The association between protein consumption and sociodemographic, economic, health, and dietary variables was tested using multiple linear regression. Results There was a positive association between protein consumption (g and g/kg) and better Brazilian Healthy Eating Index-Revised, between protein consumption (g) and male sex, and a negative association between protein consumption (g/kg) and greater calf circumference. Higher average protein consumption (g or g/kg) was observed among married elderly, individuals with higher income and schooling, who were economically active, eutrophic, without dyslipidemia and symptoms of dysphagia, who consumed three main meals and an intermediate snack. Conclusion The results showed that protein consumption was associated with diet quality, sex, and calf circumference. The identification of elderly groups prone to protein inadequacy may direct individual and collective interventions to prevent muscle mass reduction and its implications, such as sarcopenia and other adverse outcomes.
Highlights
The growth of the elderly population is a worldwide phenomenon, and a demographic transition has been rapidly taking place
Data were collected by a team of duly trained nutritionists, who used a semi-structured questionnaire composed of demographic data, health data such as smoking, selfreported diseases, condition of teeth, and anthropometry
It was observed that 21.7% of the elderly individuals (n=64) presented a protein consumption (g/kg) below the recommended 0.8g/kg (RDA), and a prevalence of inadequacy of 8.5% was obtained, i.e., for 25 elderly individuals, the usual consumption was lower than 0.66g/kg (EAR)
Summary
The growth of the elderly population is a worldwide phenomenon, and a demographic transition has been rapidly taking place. Statistical projections indicate that by 2025 Brazil will probably have 15% of its population (more than 30 million people) consisting of elderly, which will place the country sixth in the world [1]. An adequate consumption may minimize the loss of muscle mass common to aging. It is estimated that in Brazil, 17% of the elderly population have sarcopenia, a condition that increases the risk of falls, decline in functionality, and mortality [3]. According to the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People, this is a syndrome characterized by a progressive loss of muscle mass associated with a decrease in strength or function [4]. The decrease in muscle strength associated with age, known as dynapenia, may be considered a determining risk factor for mortality [5]
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