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Fresh- and lean-pork intake in relation to functional limitations among US older adults, 2005-2016
Ruopeng An1,2, Sharon M Nickols-Richardson3, Reginald J Alston2
1Brown School, 7548Washington University, USA.
Background:
Pork consumption, in particular fresh/lean-pork consumption, provides protein and other essential micronutrients that older adults need daily and may hold the potential to prevent functional limitations resulting from sub-optimal nutrition.
Aim:
Assess fresh/lean-pork intake in relation to functional limitations among older adults in the USA.
Methods:
Individual-level data came from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005-2016 waves. Nineteen validated questions assessed five functional limitation domains: activities of daily living (ADLs); instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs); leisure and social activities (LSAs); lower extremity mobility (LEM); and general physical activities (GPAs). Logistic regressions were performed to examine pork, fresh-pork and fresh lean-pork intake in relation to functional limitations among NHANES older adults (n = 6135).
Results:
Approximately 21, 18 and 16% of older adults consumed pork, fresh pork and fresh lean pork, respectively. An increase in pork consumption by 1 oz-equivalent/day was associated with a reduced odds of ADLs by 12%, IADLs by 10% and any functional limitation by 7%. An increase in fresh-pork consumption by 1 oz-equivalent/day was associated with a reduced odds of ADLs by 13%, IADLs by 10%, GPAs by 8%, and any functional limitation by 8%. Similar effects were found for fresh lean-pork consumption on ADLs, IADLs, GPAs and any functional limitation.
Conclusion:
This study found some preliminary evidence linking fresh/lean-pork consumption to a reduced risk of functional limitations. Future studies with longitudinal/experimental designs are warranted to examine the influence of fresh/lean-pork consumption on functional limitations.
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