Association between Physical Condition and Body Composition, Nutrient Intake, Sociodemographic Characteristics, and Lifestyle Habits in Older Spanish Adults

Abstract

In this study, we assessed physical condition and its association with body composition, nutrient intake, sociodemographic characteristics, and lifestyle habits in older Spanish adults. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated 380 individuals (54% women; men aged 55–80 years and women aged 60–80 years) with no previously documented cardiovascular disease. A general questionnaire was used, and body weight, height, fat, appendicular skeletal muscle mass, and waist circumference were assessed. Physical condition measurements included handgrip strength (HGS) and agility/dynamic balance by eight-foot time up-and-go (8-f TUG) test. The lowest maximum HGS score (kg) was found in older participants, inactive men, and men with abdominal obesity. The highest maximum 8-f TUG score (s) was found in older and inactive, low education, low income, and abdominal obesity and overfat participants; 24.5% of participants had low maximum HGS and 36.8% had a high 8-f TUG score. Sex- and/or age-adjusted odds ratio (OR) for low maximum HGS in women, older participants, overweight and overfat participants were 4.6, 2.9, 0.6 and 0.6 respectively. Sex and/or age adjusted OR for high maximum 8-f TUG in women, overweight, overfat, and abdominally obese participants were 2.4, 1.6, 1.7, and 3.4, respectively; in participants with higher education, those who earned €900 or more per month, and slightly active and active participants had OR values of 0.4, 0.4, and 0.3, respectively. Sarcopenia incidence was 0.3%; however, 4.5% of men and 19.1% of women registered low physical condition (high and low scores in 8-f TUG and HGS tests, respectively). Overall, 36.8%, 24.5%, and 0.3% of participants had high maximum 8-f TUG score, low maximum HGS, and sarcopenia, respectively. Prevalence of these low values varies according to sociodemographic and body composition variables.

Eating Habits in Older Adults: Compliance with the Recommended Daily Intakes and Its Relationship with Sociodemographic Characteristics, Clinical Conditions, and Lifestyles

“…On the other hand, there are significant associations between lifestyles, sociodemographic characteristics, and clinical variables, and compliance with the recommended daily intakes. As shown by the results found in international studies, our work concludes that living in rural areas (because there are fewer accessible services), being divorced, and being illiterate negatively influence compliance with the recommended intakes of certain nutrients [6,19,30,31]. With regard to lifestyles, as in numerous research studies, we observed that a greater physical activity improves health and, in our case, there is greater compliance with the recommendations of Kcal, cholesterol, and vitamin B2 intake.…”

“…With regard to lifestyles, as in numerous research studies, we observed that a greater physical activity improves health and, in our case, there is greater compliance with the recommendations of Kcal, cholesterol, and vitamin B2 intake. This may be because people who are physically more active care more about their diet, and this has an impact on their health [19,32,33]. With regard to alcohol consumption, a higher compliance with recommended dietary intakes of Kcal, vitamin B2, potassium, and iodine is observed when alcohol is consumed regularly.…”

Fast food consumption and its associations with heart rate, blood pressure, cognitive function and quality of life. Pilot study

“…Several cross-sectional studies have found significant associations between poor nutritional status and behavioral disturbances [31, 32, 33, 34, 35], worse cognitive status [31], and more impaired functioning in adult daily living activities [36, 37, 38, 39]. While these studies have demonstrated an association between nutritional status and aged population, very limited have examined the association of cognitive function with food addiction in young population and the majority of the studies have been conducted in clinical samples.…”

A Comparison of Nutritional Habits, Physical Function and Psychological Constructs between Urban and Rural Costa Rican Older Adults

“…Female older adults in our study reported lower DBP, handgrip strength and walking performance than males. In a study on Spanish older adults, Bibiloni et al (2018), reported that females had lower age-related physical fitness, educational level, as well as a greater weight than males.…”