Geriatric nutritional risk and exceptional longevity: Findings from a large-scale population-based study.
Xuhui Liu1, Xujie Wang2, Rongfei Xie2
1Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, 82 Cuiyingmen, Chengguan District, Lanzhou, Gansu 730030, China.
Clinical Nutrition ESPEN
|December 28, 2025
Summary
Lower Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) is linked to greater odds of exceptional longevity in centenarians. This finding suggests nutritional status may play a role in extreme aging, warranting further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Nutritional Science
- Epidemiology
Background:
- The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) is a key prognostic marker for older adults.
- Its association with exceptional longevity (reaching age 100+) is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between GNRI and the likelihood of achieving exceptional longevity.
- To analyze nutritional status as a potential factor in extreme aging.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of 1,497 adults aged 60+ from the Chinese Healthy Longevity and Mortality Study (CHLMS).
- GNRI calculated using serum albumin and weight-based indices.
- Multivariable logistic regression and restricted cubic spline models assessed the association between GNRI and reaching age 100+.
Main Results:
- Centenarians (≥100 years) had significantly lower GNRI, BMI, and ADL scores compared to younger participants.
- Each unit increase in GNRI was associated with an 11% decrease in the odds of reaching age 100+ (OR = 0.89, p<0.001).
- Centenarian prevalence decreased across increasing GNRI quartiles, indicating a dose-response relationship.
Conclusions:
- Lower GNRI is significantly associated with a higher probability of exceptional longevity in centenarians.
- The study highlights a potential link between nutritional status and extreme aging.
- Causality cannot be determined due to the cross-sectional design; longitudinal studies are recommended.
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