Background: The recommended protein intake for the elderly is 25–30 g at main meals, with at least 2500–2800 mg of leucine at each meal. There is still little evidence regarding the amount and distribution of protein and leucine intake with meals in the elderly with type 2 diabetes (T2D). In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated protein and leucine intake at each meal in elderly patients with T2D. Methods: A total of 138 patients (91 men and 47 women) with T2D, aged 65 years or older, were included. Participants performed three 24-h dietary recalls for the evaluation of their dietary habits and protein and leucine intake at meals. Results: The average protein intake was 0.9 ± 0.2 g/kg body weight/day, and only 23% of patients complied with the recommendations. The average protein intake was 6.9 g at breakfast, 29 g at lunch, and 21 g at dinner. None of the patients reached the recommended protein intake at breakfast; 59% of patients complied with the recommendations at lunch; and 32% at dinner. The average leucine intake was 579 mg at breakfast, 2195 g at lunch, and 1583 mg at dinner. The recommended leucine intake was not reached by any patient at breakfast, by 29% of patients at lunch, and by 13% at dinner. Conclusions: Our data show that, in elderly patients with T2D, the average protein intake is low, particularly at breakfast and dinner, and that leucine intake is remarkably lower than the recommended levels. These data raise the need to implement nutritional strategies capable of increasing protein and leucine intake in the elderly with T2D.

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Background: Evidence on the risk of sarcopenia and associated factors in older adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) is lacking. We evaluate (1) the proportion of patients at risk of sarcopenia in older adults with T2D; and (2) the factors associated with the risk of sarcopenia. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study on T2D patients over 65 years referred to our outpatient clinic and who carried out the yearly complication assessment visit. Eligible patients were administered questionnaires during phone interviews for the risk evaluation of sarcopenia (SARC-F), the risk evaluation of malnutrition (Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA®-SF)), the adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MEDI-quest), and the evaluation of physical activity (the International Physical Activity Questionnaire short form). Results: A total of 138 patients were included in the study, and 12 patients (8.7% (95% CI 4.6–14.7)) were at risk of sarcopenia. The mean SARC-F score was significantly higher in women compared with men (2.1 ± 1.8 vs. 0.9 ± 1.4, respectively; p < 0.001). The majority of patients identified at risk of sarcopenia compared with those not at risk were women (75% vs. 30%, respectively; p = 0.003), had a higher proportion of neuropathy (50% vs. 19%, respectively; p = 0.027), a lower mean MNA®-SF score (11.6 ± 1.5 vs. 13.0 ± 1.4, respectively; p = 0.001), a lower mean MEDI-quest score (5.2 ± 1.5 vs. 5.9 ± 1, respectively; p = 0.037), and were more inactive (92% vs. 61%, respectively; p = 0.032). Conclusions: In a sample of older adults with T2D, the risk of sarcopenia was identified in 8.7% (95% CI: 4.6–14.7) of the sample, and the main factors associated were female gender, neuropathy, a lower MNA®-SF score, low adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and low physical activity.