Physical activity, diet quality, and mortality among sarcopenic older adults

It is unknown if physical activity and good diet quality modify the risk of poor outcomes, such as mortality, among older adults with sarcopenia.

To examine if physical activity and good diet quality modify the risk of poor outcomes, such as mortality, among older adults with sarcopenia.

A population-based cohort study among 1618 older adults with sarcopenia from the Third National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES III; 1988-1994). Sarcopenia was defined by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People. Physical activity was self-reported, and classified as sedentary (0 bouts per week), physically inactive (1-4 bouts per week), and physically active (≥5 bouts per week). Diet quality was assessed with the healthy eating index (a scale of 0-100 representing adherence to federal dietary recommendations), and classified as poor (<51), fair (51-80), and good (>80) diet quality.

Compared to participants who were sedentary, those who were physically inactive were 16 % less likely to die [HR 0.84 (95 % CI 0.64-1.09)], and those who were physically active were 25 % less likely to die [HR 0.75 (95 % CI 0.59-0.97); P _trend = 0.026]. Compared to participants with poor diet quality, those with fair diet quality were 37 % less likely to die [HR 0.63 (95 % CI 0.47-0.86)], and those with good diet quality were 45 % less likely to die [HR 0.55 (95 % CI 0.37-0.80); P _trend = 0.002].

Participation in physical activity and consumption of a healthy diet correspond with a lower risk of mortality among older adults with sarcopenia. Randomized trials are needed in this population.