Page 217 - Petelin, Ana. 2021. Ed. Zdravje starostnikov / Health of the Elderly. Proceedings. Koper: University of Primorska Press.
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https://doi.org/10.26493/978-961-293-129-2.215-229

Association between dietary nutrient intake
and sarcopenia in older adults

Felicita Urzi1, Sandra Potušek1, Laura Iacolina1,2, Elena Bužan1

1 University of Primorska, Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, Koper, Slovenia
2 Aalborg University, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark
felicita.urzi@upr.si

Abstract
Introduction: There is increasing interest in modifiable factors that
may be effective in both the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia.
Although there is a growing evidence of the importance of nutrition in
the treatment of sarcopenia, studies examining the relationship between
nutrient intake and sarcopenia in older adults are limited. The aim of
this study was to examine the association between nutrient intake and
sarcopenia in older adults. Methods: The case-control observational
study included 115 older adults (≥ 65 years), 26 of whom were classified
as sarcopenic. Sarcopenia was assessed according to the European
Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) diagnostic
criteria. Habitual dietary intake was assessed with the 3-day weighed
dietary record over two weekdays and one weekend day. The weight
of food intake in grams was converted into energy, macronutrient
and micronutrient amounts using the online OPEN (Open Platform
for Clinical Nutrition) dietary assessment tool. The mini nutritional
assessment (MNA) was used to assess the nutritional status. Differences
in nutrient intake and nutritional status between the sarcopenic and
non-sarcopenic groups were evaluated. Risk factors were determined
using logistic regression with sarcopenic status as the outcome.
Results: Seven nutrients (n-3 fatty acid, vitamin D, vitamin K, vitamin
C, vitamin B1, vitamin B7, and vitamin B9) were all statistically
significantly lower in the sarcopenic compared to the non-sarcopenic
group (p < .05). An increased risk of sarcopenia (R2 = .756) was found in
older adults with low dietary intakes of n-3 fatty acids. After accounting
for possible covariates, the evidence for an association between n-3 fatty
acid and sarcopenia is partially explained by age, body mass index,
presence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and physical activity level.
Discussion and conclusions: Sarcopenic older adults differed in terms of
intake of seven nutrients compared with non-sarcopenic older adults.
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