Dietary Characteristics of Elders with Frailty and with Mild Cognitive Impairment: Cross-Sectional Findings and Implications from the Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan 2014–2017

Abstract

It is unclear whether low dietary intake accompanied with multiple nutrient deficiencies or specific nutrient inadequacy is associated with geriatric syndrome. This study aimed to examine the nutrition inadequacy profiles associated with frailty and cognitive impairment (CI). With information from the Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan, 2014–2017, sex-specific nutrient intakes and intake per kg of body weight (BW) were estimated from 24-hour recall data for two age groups (65–74 years; ≥75 years) regarding the three frailty and three CI subgroups. Total energy intakes were significantly lower with the severity of both frailty and CI in analysis combining both gender and age groups, and in both the 65-to-74-year-old women or the over-75-year-old women. These trends were observed but not significant in either of the two age groups in men. Significantly lower levels of energy intake have been observed when age, sex, and sampling strata were adjusted. Intake levels of multiple nutrients also decreased with the severity of frailty and CI. A greater number of nutrient inadequacies for the frail and the CI was found in the 65-to-74-year-old group than the over-75-year-old age group. However, most of the associations between micronutrients and the two geriatric syndromes disappeared after energy adjustment. The remaining few did not show consistency across age­–sex subgroups. In conclusion, frailty or CI was associated with low amounts of food consumption accompanied by multiple nutrient insufficiencies. Dietary intervention to ensure adequate total energy and multiple nutrient intakes should be trialed in the geriatric population to address both the causal and efficacy issues.

The role of zinc on nutritional status, sarcopenia, and frailty in older adults: a scoping review

“… 50 The studies were conducted primarily in Europe (n = 18), 17 , 18 , 22 , 26 , 28 , 29 , 32 , 33 , 41–43 , 46 , 48 , 51 , 56 , 58–60 15 were conducted in Asia. 23 , 24 , 27 , 30 , 35 , 36 , 38 , 39 , 45 , 47 , 49 , 57 , 61 , 63 , 64 Seven studies each were from North America 19 , 25 , 31 , 44 , 52 , 53 , 62 and Australasia, 20 , 21 , 37 , 40 , 50 , 54 , 55 and the remaining 2 studies were from Jordan 16 and Turkey. 34 …”

“…The studies by Asaoka et al 47 and Gau et al 52 were based on retrospective data, and 4 articles were based on secondary analysis of data from large-scale surveys. 44 , 45 , 53 , 58 …”

“…Most studies included both male and female older adults (n = 42) 16–19 , 22 , 23 , 25–28 , 30–49 , 51–61 , 64 ; 7 were restricted to 1 sex. 20 , 21 , 24 , 29 , 50 , 62 , 63 The definition of the older population differed among studies: participants were ≥50 years in 5 studies, 17 , 23 , 37 , 52 , 53 ≥60 years in 11 studies, 16 , 18 , 25 , 26 , 29 , 35 , 38 , 42 , 44 , 57 , 59 ≥65 years in 23 studies, 19 , 22 , 24 , 27 , 28 , 31–34 , 39 , 41 , 43 , 45 , 47–49 , 51 , 54–56 , 58 , 62 , 63 and ≥70 years in 7 studies. 20 , 21 , 30 , 36 , 40 , 50 ...…”

“…Among the studies that measured Zn intake, most studies used 24-hour dietary recalls to collect dietary intake data (n = 11), 16–18 , 25 , 28 , 31 , 34 , 36 , 38 , 40 , 45 and food frequency questionnaires, 22–24 , 29 , 32 , 33 , 37 , 41 diet history, 20 , 21 , 27 , 35 , 39 , 42 and 3-day diet records 26 , 43 , 44 , 46 were used by 8, 6, and 4 studies, respectively. Zn intake was calculated using weighted food intake 19 and meal menu charts 30 by 1 study each.…”

Efficacy of Dietary Intervention with Group Activities on Dietary Intakes, Frailty Status, and Working Memory: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial in Community Strongholds

“…According to the literature and our previous analytical epidemiological studies [4][5][6][7], older adults with geriatric syndromes tend to have lower intakes of total energy, macronutrients, and multiple vitamins and minerals. The role of adequate protein and calories in preventing or reversing frailty and/or sarcopenia have been repeatedly confirmed from the findings of clinical trials, particularly when combined with muscle building and balance training [8].…”