These data indicate that snacking patterns have some effects on energy and nutrient intakes but not on BMI. Snack food choices remain a concern, especially beverages, including those that are sweetened. Vegetables and fruits as snacks should be encouraged.
Objective
To investigate protein intakes across demographic characteristics in relation
to dietary patterns and functional outcomes in older adults.
Design
Observational and cross-sectional study.
Setting
Non-institutionalized participants from the 2005–2014 National Health and
Nutrition Examination Survey.
Participants
Data from 11,680 adults were categorized into 51–60 years (n= 4,016), 61–70
years (n=3,854), and 71 years and older (n=3,810) for analysis.
Measurements
Adults were stratified by meeting or not meeting the protein recommendation
(0.8 g/kg/d) to compare demographics, diet quality with Healthy Eating Index–
2015, functional limitations, and other dietary intakes. Dietary recalls were
collected using the multiple pass method. Data analyses were weighted to create a
nationally–representative sample.
Results
Dietary protein intakes were significantly lower in older age groups, with up
to 46% of the oldest adults not meeting the protein intake recommendation.
Participants consuming protein below the recommended intake level had
significantly poorer diet quality across all age groups (P<0.01), however,
overall diet quality was better in older adults. Those not meeting the protein
recommendation were more likely to have intakes of other nutrients below
recommended levels. Those below the protein recommendation had significantly more
functional limitations across all age groups, while grip strength was
significantly lower in those over 70 years old.
Conclusion
Lower protein intakes, and lower diet quality and physical functioning are
related in an aging population. Meeting the protein recommendation was linked to
better overall diet quality and may be protective of lean mass; therefore,
evaluation of individual characteristics which may affect protein intakes is
crucial in supporting older adults to meet their protein needs.
Anxiety is common in youth with autism spectrum disorder. Despite this common co-occurrence, studies targeting anxiety in this population are hindered by the under-developed state of measures in youth with autism spectrum disorder. Content validity (the extent to which an instrument measures the domain of interest) and an instrument's relevance to the patient population are key components of measurement development. This article describes the application of qualitative research methods in the initial development of a parent-rated instrument of anxiety symptoms in youth with autism spectrum disorder. Overall, 48 parents of 45 children (aged 3-17 years) with autism spectrum disorder and at least mild anxiety participated in one of six focus groups at two sites (three groups per site). Systematic coding of the focus group transcripts identified broad themes reflecting the situations and events that trigger anxiety in children with autism spectrum disorder, the behavioral manifestations of anxiety in children with autism spectrum disorder, the parent and the child's own response to anxiety, and broad behavioral patterns that could be associated with anxiety. From the focus group data, investigators generated 52 candidate items for a parent-rating of anxiety in youth with autism spectrum disorder. This report provides a detailed description of these early steps in developing a patient-oriented outcome measure.
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