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Dietary Protein and Change in Appendicular Lean Mass in Older Adults: The Health ABC Study
Author(s) -
Houston Denise,
Nicklas Barbara,
Harris Tamara,
Tylavsky Frances,
Newman Anne,
Lee Jung Sun,
Sahyoun Nadine,
Sellmeyer Deborah,
Visser Marjolein,
Kritchevsky Stephen
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.20.4.a555
Subject(s) - confounding , medicine , sarcopenia , lean body mass , dietary protein , body mass index , gerontology , body weight , demography , environmental health , sociology
Dietary surveys suggest that many community‐dwelling older adults consume insufficient dietary protein. The objective of this study was to determine the association between dietary protein and change in non‐bone appendicular lean mass (aLM) among men and women in the Health ABC Study (n=2,151, mean age 74.5). Dietary protein intake was calculated using an interviewer‐administered 108‐item food frequency questionnaire. Change in aLM over 3 yrs was measured using DXA (Hologic QDR 4500A). The association between animal and vegetable protein intake and 3‐yr change in aLM was examined using linear regression adjusted for potential confounders. Mean protein intake was 0.91 g/kg of body weight/day, 56% from animal protein. Over 3 yrs, women in the highest quintile of animal protein lost 67% less aLM than those in the lowest quintile (p=0.0002) while men in the highest quintile lost 27% less aLM (p=0.05). The linear trend for animal protein was significant in women (p for trend, <0.0001) but not in men. Vegetable protein was not associated with change in aLM. The role of dietary protein should be studied further as a potentially modifiable risk factor for sarcopenia. This work was supported by NIA contracts N01‐AG‐6‐2101, N01‐AG‐6‐2103, and N01‐AG‐6‐2106; WFU OAIC (P30 AG‐021332); and the American Egg Board.