TY  - JOUR
AU  - Paul, Marika Haritos
AU  - Arensberg, Mary Beth
AU  - Simon, Judy R.
AU  - Jonnalagadda, Satya S.
AU  - Pereira, Suzette L.
AU  - Partridge, Jamie S.
AU  - Rosenthal, Joseph A.
PY  - 2020
DA  - 2020/05/22
TI  - Association between Very Low Dietary Protein Intake and Subsequent Falls in Community-Dwelling Older Adults in the United States
JO  - OBM Geriatrics
SP  - 120
VL  - 04
IS  - 02
AB  - Poor nutrition is linked to frailty and both poor nutrition and frailty are recognized risk factors for falls. This study examined the association between dietary protein intake and subsequent reported falls in community-dwelling older Americans with a history of falls. Other nutritional, functional, and sociodemographic-related variables were also considered in our model. This was a retrospective analysis using data from the U.S. Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and Health Care and Nutrition Study (HCNS), both funded by the U.S. National Institute on Aging. The study population (n=3,859) was community-dwelling older adults, aged ≥65 years, who reported ever experiencing a fall on the 2012 HRS and had also completed the 2013 HCNS and 2014 HRS. Univariable logistic models were created for all variables of interest; variables approaching statistical significance (p < 0.1) were included in the initial multivariable logistic model. Backwards selection (cut-off of p<0.05) was used to create the final model. The incidence of subsequent fall(s) was 13% greater among individuals with very low protein intake (< 0.4 gm/kg/day protein) compared to those with higher protein intake (69.2% vs 56.2%, p=0.02). Male gender, living with a partner, weight loss of at least 10 lbs since the last HRS, and low Vitamin D intake were also associated with reporting subsequent fall(s). Older adults reporting very low protein intake had odds of subsequent fall(s) that were 1.65 times that of older adults not reporting very low protein intake, after adjusting for age, sex, weight loss, and difficulty performing Activities of Daily Living (OR=1.65, p=0.045). These findings document very low protein intake may be a risk factor for predicting future falls in older adults with a history of falling. When considering interdisciplinary approaches to frailty, preventive screening for very low/low protein intake among those with a history of falling may help identify who could benefit most from referrals for nutrition education and interventions.
SN  - 2638-1311
UR  - https://doi.org/10.21926/obm.geriatr.2002120
DO  - 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2002120
ID  - Paul2020
ER  -