SUN-PP084: Handgrip Strength but not the Timed 'Up and Go' Test Is Related to Differences in Body Mass Index in Older Adults in Need of Care

Abstract

Rationale: The population of older adults is heterogeneous regarding functional and nutritional status and the relation between both is not clear. The study investigates whether two physical performance measures are related to differences in body mass index (BMI) of older adults in need of care living in different settings. Methods: In 322 older adults receiving home care (HC; 81±8 y) and 183 nursing home residents (NH; 86±8 y) BMI and physical performance according to timed up and go test (TUG) and handgrip strength (HGS) were assessed. Differences in performance measures between five BMI-groups (<22, 22 <25, 25 <30, 30 <35, 35 kg/m2) were tested by ANCOVA considering the setting (HC, NH) as additional factor and adjusting for potential confounders. Results: Within the total sample 17% of the participants had a BMI <22, 20% a BMI 30 <35, and 10% a BMI 35. Functional tests were feasible in 55% (TUG) and 84% (HGS) of the participants. Those able to perform the tests had less often a BMI <22 than those not able (TUG: 11% vs. 25%, p < 0.05; HGS: 14% vs. 32%, p < 0.05) and more often a BMI 30 <35 (TUG: 23% vs. 16%, p < 0.05; HGS: 23% vs. 7%, p < 0.05). In those able to perform the tests only HGS (p = 0.003) but not TUG (p = 0.57) performance differed between the five BMI-groups. HGS displayed a linear performance increase from low to high BMI. The setting showed only an effect on HGS (p = 0.019) demonstrating a lower performance in NH-residents than in HC-receivers. Conclusion: In this study HGS, but not TUG performance, was associated with BMI. In samples of older adults in need of care, the TUG excludes the great portion of immobile persons and loses its discriminative power in mobile persons as it is too difficult to perform. HGS reflects a reduced functionality in the NHcompared to the HC-setting. *This work was supported by the Danone Institute Nutrition for Health (Germany).