Assessment of Dietary Consumption in Independent Community-Dwelling Older Adults with and without Sarcopenia

Characterize and compare the food consumption of independent community-dwelling older adults with and without sarcopenia.

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with data from 50 community-dwelling older adults receiving care at the secondary level of health in a city in southeastern Brazil in 2017. Three criteria were used to diagnose sarcopenia: dual X-ray absorptiometry, hand grip strength and walk speed. Diet intake data was obtained by three 24-h Multiple Pass Recalls. The consumption of energy, macro and micronutrients was compared between the participants without sarcopenia and those with sarcopenia. The t-Student test was performed to compare dietary consumption. The adopted significance level was p < 0.05.

Men with sarcopenia had lower intake of animal protein (g) compared with those without sarcopenia (p < 0.05). In women, those with sarcopenia had higher intake of carbohydrate (%) and lower intake of protein (g), animal protein (g) and saturated fatty acids (SFAs) (%) (p < 0.05). The mean consumption of vitamin D, vitamin E and calcium was lower than the Estimated Average Requirement in all groups.

The lower intake of important nutrients for muscle health by both groups of participants can be a risk factor for developing and aggravating sarcopenia.