Compliance with dietary recommendations of the German Nutrition Society is associated with reduced risk of frailty

Peer-reviewed | Manuscript received: October 18, 2013 | Revision accepted: March 11, 2014

Introduction

The geriatric syndrome frailty is characterised by a reduced tolerance for internal and external stressors and is associated with a loss of physical functionality and numerous negative health-related consequences, such as cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases and the loss of independence [1–3].

With a prevalence of approximately 17 %, frailty is also very widespread throughout the world among senior citizens living at home [4]. Besides hormonal changes and inflammatory processes, nutrition is being discussed as an important factor influencing the emergence of frailty. Here, in addition to sufficient food intake, the content of nutritive substances in the diet appears to be of particular importance [5–9].

Summary

The nutritional habits of 192 community-dwelling senior citizens (75 years of age or older) were documented using a Healthy Eating Index (HEI-GFP, max. 110 points) based on the dietary recommendations of the German Nutrition Society (DGE). Frailty was defined by following criteria: weight loss, fatigue, low physical activity, low handgrip strength and slow walking speed. The HEI-GFP was significantly lower in frail subjects than in pre-frail and non-frail subjects (61.0 ± 8.4 vs. 65.1 ± 10.3 vs. 66.5 ± 9.3; p < 0.05). The risk of frailty was significantly reduced in the highest quartile of the HEI-GFP (≥ 71.25 points) (odds ratio [OR] 0.07; 95 % confidence interval [95 %-CI] 0.01–0.58). Conclusion: In persons over 75 years of age living at home, a stronger adherence to the dietary recommendations of the DGE was associated with a reduced risk of frailty.

Keywords: frailty, Healthy Eating Index, dietary recommendations, inflammation

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