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Lookup NU author(s): Professor Emma Stevenson, Dr Liz Williams
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
© 2020 by the authors. 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 agespecific 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.
Author(s): Morris S, Cater JD, Green MA, Johnstone AM, Brunstrom JM, Stevenson EJ, Williams EA, Corfe BM
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Geriatrics
Year: 2020
Volume: 5
Issue: 1
Online publication date: 12/02/2020
Acceptance date: 03/02/2020
Date deposited: 02/04/2020
ISSN (electronic): 2308-3417
Publisher: MDPI AG
URL: https://doi.org/10.3390/geriatrics5010006
DOI: 10.3390/geriatrics5010006
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