The Diet Quality and Nutrition Inadequacy of Pre-Frail Older Adults in New Zealand

Abstract

This study aimed to describe the diet quality of pre-frail community-dwelling older adults to extend the evidence of nutrition in frailty prevention. Pre-frailty, the transition state between a robust state and frailty, was ascertained using the FRAIL scale. Socio-demographic, health status, and 24-h dietary recalls were collected from 465 community-dwelling adults aged 75+ (60 years for Māori and Pacific people) across New Zealand. Diet quality was ascertained with the Diet Quality Index-International (DQI-I). Participants (median (IQR) age 80 (77–84), 59% female) had a moderately healthful diet, DQI-I score: 60.3 (54.0–64.7). Women scored slightly higher than men (p = 0.042). DQI-I components identified better dietary variety in men (p = 0.044), and dietary moderation in women (p = 0.002); both sexes performed equally well in dietary adequacy and poorly in dietary balance scores (73% and 47% of maximum scores, respectively). Low energy 20.3 (15.4–25.3) kcal/kg body weight (BW) and protein intakes 0.8 (0.6–1.0) g/kg BW were coupled with a high prevalence of mineral inadequacies: calcium (86%), magnesium (68%), selenium (79%), and zinc (men 82%). In conclusion, the diet quality of pre-frail older adults was moderately high in variety and adequacy but poor in moderation and balance. Our findings support targeted dietary interventions to ameliorate frailty.

The role of zinc on nutritional status, sarcopenia, and frailty in older adults: a scoping review

“… 50 The studies were conducted primarily in Europe (n = 18), 17 , 18 , 22 , 26 , 28 , 29 , 32 , 33 , 41–43 , 46 , 48 , 51 , 56 , 58–60 15 were conducted in Asia. 23 , 24 , 27 , 30 , 35 , 36 , 38 , 39 , 45 , 47 , 49 , 57 , 61 , 63 , 64 Seven studies each were from North America 19 , 25 , 31 , 44 , 52 , 53 , 62 and Australasia, 20 , 21 , 37 , 40 , 50 , 54 , 55 and the remaining 2 studies were from Jordan 16 and Turkey. 34 …”

“… 20 , 21 , 24 , 29 , 50 , 62 , 63 The definition of the older population differed among studies: participants were ≥50 years in 5 studies, 17 , 23 , 37 , 52 , 53 ≥60 years in 11 studies, 16 , 18 , 25 , 26 , 29 , 35 , 38 , 42 , 44 , 57 , 59 ≥65 years in 23 studies, 19 , 22 , 24 , 27 , 28 , 31–34 , 39 , 41 , 43 , 45 , 47–49 , 51 , 54–56 , 58 , 62 , 63 and ≥70 years in 7 studies. 20 , 21 , 30 , 36 , 40 , 50 , 60 Three studies did not clearly mention the age cutoffs they used. 46 , 61 , 64 …”

Effectiveness of a complex intervention of group-based nutrition and physical activity to prevent frailty in pre-frail older adults (SUPER): a randomised controlled trial

“…35 Energy intake was calculated using the 24-h multiple pass method, which involves recording detailed descriptions of dietary intake on two separate days. 36 Height was measured with a stadiometer and body-mass index (BMI) was computed.…”

Dietary Protein Intake and Physical Function in Māori and Non-Māori Adults of Advanced Age in New Zealand: LiLACS NZ

“…This study utilised an online version of the MPR, the Intake24 virtual dietary assessment system developed by Newcastle University, UK [ 40 , 41 ] with incorporated data of common foods from the New Zealand FOODfiles 2016 database (e.g., mussels, pipi, pūha, silverbeet) [ 42 ]. INTAKE24 has a built-in photographic atlas and uses household measures to aid portion size estimations.…”