Physical activity, diet quality, and mortality among sarcopenic older adults

Abstract

Background It is unknown if physical activity and good diet quality modify the risk of poor outcomes, such as mortality, among older adults with sarcopenia. Aim To examine if physical activity and good diet quality modify the risk of poor outcomes, such as mortality, among older adults with sarcopenia Methods A population-based cohort study among 1,618 older-adults with sarcopenia from the Third National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES III; 1988-1994). Sarcopenia was defined by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People. Physical activity was self-reported, and classified as sedentary (0 bouts per week), physically inactive (1-4 bouts per week), and physically active (≥5 bouts per week). Diet quality was assessed with the healthy eating index (a scale of 0-100 representing adherence to federal dietary recommendations), and classified as poor (<51), fair (51-80), and good (>80) diet quality. Results Compared to participants who were sedentary, those who were physically inactive were 16% less likely to die [HR: 0.84 (95% CI: 0.64-1.09)], and those who were physically active were 25% less likely to die [HR: 0.75 (95% CI: 0.59-0.97); Ptrend=0.026]. Compared to participants with poor diet quality, those with fair diet quality were 37% less likely to die [HR: 0.63 (95% CI: 0.47-0.86)], and those with good diet quality were 45% less likely to die [HR: 0.55 (95% CI: 0.37-0.80); Ptrend=0.002]. Conclusions Participation in physical activity and consumption of a healthy diet correspond with a lower risk of mortality among older adults with sarcopenia. Randomized trials are needed in this population.

Diet Quality Is Associated With Mortality in Adults Aged 80 Years and Older: A Prospective Study

“…Results of our current study are also consistent with our earlier study including older persons aged 65 years and older that was of shorter duration (mean follow‐up of 3.1 years) with fewer incident mortalities and found that low diet quality was associated with higher mortality risk . Other observational studies have also found that adherence to a healthy diet, assessed by the Healthy Eating Index (HEI), the Mediterranean diet score, and other indexes, was associated with lower risk of mortality in prefrail and frail older persons as well as older adults with sarcopenia . However, some studies examining the relationships between dietary pattern, diet quality, and mortality among older persons in observational studies revealed inconclusive results .…”

Association between ideal cardiovascular health metrics and risk of cardiovascular events or mortality: A meta‐analysis of prospective studies

“…24,25 In addition, physical activity and diet quality have been associated with reduced risk of CVD and mortality. 26,27 Levels of HbA 1c have been recognized as predictors of allcause mortality. 28 Both high and low levels of HbA 1c were associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality in patients with diabetes mellitus.…”

“…Previous quantitative reviews suggested that smoking, an established risk factor, has been proven to exert adverse effects on mortality . In addition, physical activity and diet quality have been associated with reduced risk of CVD and mortality . Levels of HbA 1c have been recognized as predictors of all‐cause mortality .…”

Motivational climate of group exercise sessions in nursing homes

“…There is a growing body of literature that recognizes the importance of physical activity in older people. It has previously been observed that engagement in physical activity has a positive impact on functional abilities [1,2], mobility [3], cognitive status [4,5], quality of life [6,7], risk of falls [8] and mortality [9,10]. In addition, the International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics (IAGG) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have emphasized the importance of physical exercise in the quality of nursing home care [11].…”