Abstract
Frailty is a reversible condition, which is strongly related to physical function and nutritional status. Different scales are used to screened older adults and their risk of being frail, however, Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) may be more adequate than others to measure physical function in exercise interventions and has been less studied. Thus, the main aims of our study were: (1) to describe differences in nutritional intakes by SPPB groups (robust, pre-frail and frail); (2) to study the relationship between being at risk of malnourishment and frailty; and (3) to describe differences in nutrient intake between those at risk of malnourishment and those without risk in the no-frail individuals. One hundred one participants (80.4 ± 6.0 year old) were included in this cross-sectional study. A validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to determine food intake and Mini Nutritional Assessment to determine malnutrition. Results revealed differences for the intake of carbohydrates, n-3 fatty acids (n3), and saturated fatty acids for frail, pre-frail, and robust individuals and differences in vitamin D intake between frail and robust (all p < 0.05). Those at risk of malnutrition were approximately 8 times more likely to be frail than those with no risk. Significant differences in nutrient intake were found between those at risk of malnourishment and those without risk, specifically in: protein, PUFA n-3, retinol, ascorbic acid, niacin equivalents, folic acid, magnesium, and potassium, respectively. Moreover, differences in alcohol were also observed showing higher intake for those at risk of malnourishment (all p < 0.05). In conclusion, nutrients related to muscle metabolism showed to have different intakes across SPPB physical function groups. The intake of these specific nutrients related with risk of malnourishment need to be promoted in order to prevent frailty.
Highlights
Frailty is characterized by a loss of strength, endurance, and physical ability and cognitive function, which results in an increased risk of vulnerability to disease, dependence, and death [1,2]
Statistical differences between groups were observed for age, weight, and Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA)
The main findings of this study are: (1) some differences exist in the nutritional intake between robust, pre-frail, and frail older people but not for food groups; (2) vitamin D recommendations were met in higher proportions in robust group, while none of the pre-frail and pre-frail participants reached recommendations; (3) those older adults at risk of malnutrition were 7.7 times more likely to being frail compared to those without risk of malnutrition, (4) differences in intakes of protein, alcohol, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) n-3, retinol equivalents, ascorbic acid, niacin, pyridoxin, folic acid, magnesium, and phosphorus were observed between those non-frails at risk of malnourishment suggesting their important role in frailty prevention
Summary
Frailty is characterized by a loss of strength, endurance, and physical ability and cognitive function, which results in an increased risk of vulnerability to disease, dependence, and death [1,2]. To this state and subsequently to a physiological decline, a pre-frail stage identifies a subset of high risk and potentially reversible condition before onset of established frailty [2]. Pre-disability condition of frailty can be captured using the SPPB as a comprehensive measure of physical functioning impairment [5] Even this first scale is the most widely cited [6], both have been widely used across the literature. The use of SPPB is increasing as it evaluates physical function and physical performance through a mobility domain that could be of a higher interest in rehabilitation, physical exercise, and physical activity-related interventions
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