Inadequacy of Protein Intake in Older UK Adults
by
Susan Morris 1,†, James D. Cater 1,†, Mark A. Green 2
, Alexandra M. Johnstone 3, Jeffrey M. Brunstrom 4, Emma J. Stevenson 5, Elizabeth A. Williams 6,†and Bernard M. Corfe 1,7,*,â€
Susan Morris 1,†, James D. Cater 1,†, Mark A. Green 2, Alexandra M. Johnstone 3, Jeffrey M. Brunstrom 4, Emma J. Stevenson 5, Elizabeth A. Williams 6,†and Bernard M. Corfe 1,7,*,â€
1
Molecular Gastroenterology Research Group, Department of Oncology & Metabolism, The Medical School, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2RX, UK
2
Department of Geography and Planning, School of Environmental Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3BX, UK
3
The Rowett Institute, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
4
Nutrition and Behaviour Unit, School of Psychological Sciences, University of Bristol, UK. & National Institute for Health Research, Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust and University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TU, UK
5
Human Nutrition Research Centre, Population and Health Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
6
Department of Oncology & Metabolism, The Medical School, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2RX, UK
7
Insigneo Institute for in silico Medicine, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2RX, UK
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
â€
These authors contributed equally.
Geriatrics 2020, 5(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/geriatrics5010006
Received: 19 December 2019 / Revised: 24 January 2020 / Accepted: 3 February 2020 / Published: 12 February 2020
(This article belongs to the Section Healthy Aging)
The current dietary recommendation for protein intake in the UK is 0.75 g/kg/day, however, this population-wide recommendation does not necessarily reflect altered requirements for older adults to maintain muscle protein synthesis, nor does it encompass the potential impact of intake timing. Optimal muscle protein synthesis in older adults requires both higher intake requirements and a distribution of protein intake above a 25 g threshold, three times across the day. This study aimed to describe the protein intake of older adults in a UK region and compare the results to recommendations. The study re-assessed two existing datasets with rich diet information for older adults in the South Yorkshire area. Data were extracted from food diaries of 256 adults aged between 65 and 89 years old (mean ± SD 72.4 ± 5.3 years). Quantity and timing of intake were coded using Nutritics software and compared to recommendations. The relationship between body mass index (BMI), age, and protein intake was explored. Fewer than 50% of the participants met current UK recommendations (0.75 g/kg/day) and fewer than 15% met the ESPEN 1.2 g/kg/day age-specific recommendation. Only one participant met the 25 g/meal recommendation across three meals. These findings suggest that the older adult population is not achieving recommendations to maintain muscle protein synthesis. Nonetheless it identifies several straightforward opportunities for improvement, notably elevation of morning intake.
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MDPI and ACS Style
Morris, S.; Cater, J.D.; Green, M.A.; Johnstone, A.M.; Brunstrom, J.M.; Stevenson, E.J.; Williams, E.A.; Corfe, B.M. Inadequacy of Protein Intake in Older UK Adults. Geriatrics 2020, 5, 6.
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