Is meeting the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for protein related to body composition among older adults?: Results from the Cardiovascular Health of Seniors and Built Environment Study

Abstract

Objective Studies suggest protein intake may be associated with lower body weight, but protein has also been associated with preservation of lean body mass. Understanding the role of protein in maintaining health for older adults is important for disease prevention among this population. Design Cross-sectional study of the relationship of dietary protein on body composition. Setting New York City community centers Participants 1,011 Black, White, and Latino urban men and women 60-99 years of age Measurements Protein intake was assessed using two interviewer-administered 24-hour recalls, and body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) of fat mass (kg) (FM), fat free mass (kg) (FFM), and impedance resistance (Ohms). Statistical Analysis Indices of FM and FFM were calculated by dividing BIA measurements by height squared (m2), and percent FFM was calculated by dividing FFM by the sum of FM and FFM. Log linear models adjusting for age (continuous), race/ethnicity, education, physical activity (dichotomized at the median), hypertension, diabetes, and total calories (continuous). Results Just 33% of women and 50% of men reported meeting the RDA for protein. Both fat free mass index (FFMI) and fat mass index (FMI) were negatively associated with meeting the RDA for protein (Women: FFMI -1.78 95%CI [-2.24, -1.33], FMI -4.12 95% CI[-4.82, -3.42] Men: FFMI -1.62 95% CI [-2.32, -0.93] FMI -1.80 95% CI [-2.70, -0.89]).After accounting for confounders, women and men consuming at least 0.8 g/kg/day had a 6.2% (95% CI: 5.0%, 7.4%) and a 3.2% (95% CI 1.1%, 5.3%) higher percent fat free mass, respectively. Conclusions FFM, FFMI, FM, and FMI were inversely related to meeting the RDA for protein. Meeting the RDA for protein of at least 0.8g/kg/day was associated with a higher percentage of fat free mass among older adults. These results suggest meeting the protein recommendations of at least 0.8 g/kg/day may help to promote lower overall body mass, primarily through loss of fat mass rather than lean mass.

Efficacy of a randomized trial examining commercial weight loss programs and exercise on metabolic syndrome in overweight and obese women

“…Accordingly, the CC group showed a small increase in relative protein consumption from baseline (0.83 g·kg −1 ·day −1 ) to 12 W (0.98 g·kg −1 ·day −1 ). These changes remained within the relative protein consumption guidelines for physically active individuals (Beasley et al 2016;Thomas et al 2016). The CC group also engaged in resistance training, which is also associated with the maintenance of lean body mass (Strandberg et al 2015).…”

Factors associated with protein consumption in elderly

“…The observation of an inverse association between protein (g/kg) and calf circumference went against expectations, since calf circumference is a parameter to estimate muscle mass in clinical practice. Beasley et al [24], in a crosssectional study with 1,011 community-dwelling elderly, also identified an unexpected association between protein (g/kg) and anthropometric measure. The authors have noted an inverse association with skeletal mass (kg), regardless of sex.…”

The Consumption of Two or Three Meals per Day with Adequate Protein Content Is Associated with Lower Risk of Physical Disability in Mexican Adults Aged 60 Years and Older

“…Other studies also reported conflicting results with protein intake and other disability-associated variables (e.g., low skeletal muscle mass). Gregorio et al [25] and Beasley et al [51] reported that older adults consuming >0.8 g protein/kg/d showed lower skeletal muscle mass than those consuming protein below this threshold, and Isanejad et al [24] reported that sarcopenic women ate more relative protein (g/kg/d) than their non-sarcopenic counterparts. It is possible that higher relative protein intake is observed in sarcopenic or disabled people because of their lower body weight [52].…”

“…The association between protein intake and lower physical disability risk may also be mediated by its role in decreasing body fat [26,51,56]. As we get older, there is an increase in body fat and fat infiltration into the muscle [57], which leads to decreased muscle quality, strength, and functionality [6,24,58,59].…”