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BackgroundCut-points to define slow walking speed have largely been derived from expert opinion.MethodsStudy participants (13 589 men and 5043 women aged ≥65years) had walking speed (m/s) measured over 4-6 m (mean ± SD: 1.20 ± 0.27 m/s in men and 0.94 ± 0.24 m/s in women.) Mobility limitation was defined as any self-reported difficulty with walking approximately 1/4 mile (prevalence: 12.6% men, 26.4% women). Sex-stratified classification and regression tree (CART) models with 10-fold cross-validation identified walking speed cut-points that optimally discriminated those who reported mobility limitation from those who did not.ResultsAmong 5043 women, CART analysis identified 2 cut-points, classifying 4144 (82.2%) with walking speed ≥0.75 m/s, which we labeled as "fast"; 478 (9.5%) as "intermediate" (walking speed ≥0.62 m/s but

Poor nutrition is a risk factor for dental decay in younger people. However, except for sugar, it is unclear if this is true in older age groups. The aim of this study was to analyze the possible associations between overall dietary intake of nutrients and diet quality and the presence of dental decay in community-dwelling older men. A cross-sectional analysis of a longitudinal study with a standardized validated diet history assessment and comprehensive oral health examination in 520 community-dwelling men (mean age: 84 years) participating in the Concord Health and Ageing in Men Project. Nutrient reference values were used to determine if individual micronutrients and macronutrients were meeting recommendations. Acceptable macronutrient distribution ranges (AMDRs) were attained for fat and carbohydrate intakes and were incorporated into a dichotomous variable to determine if the participants were consuming a high fat-low carbohydrate diet. Diagnosis of coronal caries was based on visual criteria and inspection and was completed on each of the five coronal surfaces. Root surface caries was textual changes across four root surfaces. This diagnosis was used to categorize participants by the presence and severity of coronal and root caries. The adjusted logistic regression showed not meeting the recommended intakes for thiamin (odds ratio [OR]: 2.32 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.15–4.67), and zinc (OR: 3.33, 95% CI: 1.71–6.48) were associated with presence of severe root decay. Adjusted analysis also showed that participants who were outside the recommended AMDR for fat (OR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.38–0.98) and those who consumed a high fat and low carbohydrate diet (OR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.35–0.91) were less likely to have coronal tooth decay. Our study shows associations between micronutrients and macronutrients and coronal and root surface decay. Although this study cannot prescribe causality or be generalized to all older adults, diet has a possible association with dental decay in older men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our objective was to evaluate the association of antioxidant intake and the inflammatory potential of the diet with functional decline in older men. A diet history questionnaire was used to collect dietary intake data from men aged ≥ 75 years (n 794) participating in the Concord Health and Aging in Men Project cohort study. Intake of vitamins A, C, E and Zn were compared with the Australian Nutrient Reference Values to determine adequacy. The Energy-adjusted Dietary Inflammatory Index (E-DIITM) was used to assess the inflammatory potential of the diet. Physical performance data were collected via handgrip strength and walking speed tests, and activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) questionnaires, at baseline and 3-year follow-up (n 616). Logistic regression analysis was used to identify associations between diet and incident poor physical function and disability. Both poor antioxidant intake and high E-DII scores at baseline were significantly associated with poor grip strength and ADL disability at 3-year follow-up. No significant associations with walking speed or IADL disability were observed. Individual micronutrient analysis revealed a significant association between the lowest two quartiles of vitamin C intake and poor grip strength. The lowest quartiles of intake for vitamins A, C, E and Zn were significantly associated with incident ADL disability. The study observed that poor antioxidant and anti-inflammatory food intake were associated with odds of developing disability and declining muscle strength in older men. Further interventional research is necessary to clarify the causality of these associations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives Diet is important in healthy ageing. Protein is essential for physical function, immunity, maintaining quality of life and ability to live independently. Subjects/Methods Protein intakes, sources and the protein content of meals and snacks among adults aged [greater than or equal to]65 years from the 1995 National Nutrition Survey (n = 1960) and the 2011/12 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (n = 2103) were examined. Usual protein intakes were estimated using the National Cancer Institute method, and intakes and adequacy were compared between the two surveys. Results Participants reported a higher total protein intake in 2011/12 than 1995 (81.0 vs. 73.4 g, p < 0.001). Mean protein intake per kg body weight (1995, 1.0 g/kg vs. 2011/12, 1.1 g/kg) and ability to meet the Australian (1995, 85% vs. 2011/12, 88%) and World Health Organisation (1995, 90% vs. 2011/12, 94%) protein requirements increased over time. Males >70 years or those with poor self-assessed health status were more likely to report inadequate protein intake compared with other respondents. Higher protein intake was associated with greater consumption of vegetables, fruit, dairy products, meat and alternatives and lower consumption of discretionary foods and alcohol. Participants obtained 17% of their protein intake from breakfast, 30% from lunch, 43% from dinner and 10% from snacks. Main protein sources included lean red meat, poultry and full cream milk. Conclusion Specific dietary advice for older Australians, particularly older men and those with poor health, to promote healthy food choices with adequate protein content is needed for disease prevention and maintenance of quality of life., Author(s): Fiona O'Leary [sup.1] , Amanda Grech [sup.1] , Zhixian Sui [sup.1] , Heilok Cheng [sup.1] , Anna Rangan [sup.1] , Vasant Hirani [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) The University of [...]

Poor nutritional intake is common among older adults. Given that nutrition knowledge is an important determinant of eating behaviour and nutritional status, understanding areas of inadequate knowledge can guide educational interventions to reduce risk of nutritional deficiencies and promote healthy ageing. This review investigated tools assessing general nutritional knowledge of older adults and their carers. Following the Joanna Briggs for Scoping Reviews guidelines, 4 databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Global Health and Embase) and grey literature were searched. Studies of any type containing general nutrition knowledge assessment tools for older adults or their carers were included. In total, 6934 articles were identified, of which 24 met the eligibility criteria, and 23 unique nutrition knowledge assessment tools were included. Of these tools, 14 were original, 6 were modified from other tools and 3 used dietary-related responses from national dietary survey questions. 6 tools were developed for carers (mostly nurses) and 17 tools for older adults. Tools had between 4 and 110 items. The most common topics for general nutrition knowledge questions were related to nutrients and roles, food sources of nutrients, and diet–disease relationships. 8 tools were developed prior to 2000. Most studies did not specify or assess psychometric properties of the tool, with only 9 (38 %) and 6 (26 %) studies testing for reliability and validity, respectively, and only 1 tool was considered reliable. Additional research for the development of reliable and validated tools or the validation of existing tools to assess nutrition knowledge of older adults and their carers is needed across different healthcare settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aims of this study were to assess oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) in a cohort of older Australian men and explore the association between their general health conditions, socio‐demographic factors and OHRQoL. Methods: The Concord Health and Ageing in Men Project (CHAMP) is a cohort study of the health of a representative sample of Australian men, initiated in 2005–2006 with an initial sample of 1705 men 70 years or over. Participants completed a self‐administered health and socio‐demographic questionnaire and attended an interview and clinical assessment at baseline and each of three follow‐up assessments. Information on oral health and responses to the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP‐14) were collected in the 4th follow‐up in which 778 men completed the OHIP‐14 questionnaire and 614 men had a dental assessment. The prevalence of oral health impact was defined as a response of fairly often or very often to one or more of the OHIP‐14 questions. Mean OHIP‐14 scores were calculated for the 14 questions and used as the dependent variable in the regression analyses. Zero‐inflated Poisson regression was used to estimate prevalence rate ratios (PRR). Results: Only 10% of men presented oral health impacts. In multivariate regression modelling, being born in Italy/Greece (PRR: 2.16, 95% CI: 1.93–2.42) or in other countries (PRR: 2.12, 95% CI: 1.89–2.38), having poor self‐rated general health (PRR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.24–1.53), having poor mental wellbeing (PRR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.04–1.24), having ≥6 depressive symptoms (PRR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.05–1.32), being a current smoker (PRR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.06–1.70) and having more decayed tooth surfaces (PRR:1.01, 95% CI: 1.00–1.02) were associated with higher impact scores. Conclusions: Overall, older Australian men exhibit good oral health‐related quality of life. The inter‐relationship between perceptions of general health and well‐being, health and oral health variables and social background supports policy objectives of closer integration of general health and oral health services for older Australian men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To systematically review current literature to determine the association between symptomatic osteoarthritis and dietary patterns, diet quality and food groups in adults aged ≥45 years. Methods: The review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021270891). Cochrane Central Library, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Embase, Medline and Web of Science databases were searched. A total of 3816 records were identified. Eligible articles involved populations aged ≥45 years with symptomatic osteoarthritis, assessing dietary patterns, diet quality or food groups, with pain in joints as outcomes. The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklists were used for quality assessment. Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation was used to assess the certainty of evidence. Results: Six cohort studies were included. The Prudent dietary pattern and the Mediterranean dietary pattern reduced the progression of osteoarthritis symptoms. The Western dietary pattern increased symptomatic osteoarthritis progression. Increased total fibre consumption reduced symptomatic osteoarthritis progression and pain worsening, but the effects of fibre from each food group were inconclusive. Diet with high inflammatory potential increased risk of new onset symptomatic osteoarthritis, but the effects of overall diet quality were inconclusive. Conclusions: The Prudent dietary pattern showed the highest protection on symptomatic osteoarthritis in adults aged 45 years and over. The body of evidence is limited, suggesting that further research is needed to corroborate the estimated effect at a high certainty of evidence, and to incorporate previously unstudied dietary patterns and food groups. Identifying the most beneficial dietary pattern may inform future guidelines for reducing symptomatic osteoarthritis in middle aged and older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The association between dietary protein intake and the risk of mortality is still controversial. The present study aimed to examine the associations between dietary total, animal and plant protein intake and all‐cause and cause‐specific mortality. Methods: Community‐dwelling men aged ≥ 70 years were recruited from local government areas surrounding Concord Hospital in Sydney, New South Wales for the Concord Health and Ageing in Men Project (CHAMP). The research dietitian administered a standardised validated diet history questionnaire to capture baseline dietary intake. In total, 794 men participated in a detailed diet history interview at the third wave. Adequacy of protein intake was assessed by comparing participant intake with the Nutrient Reference Values. Total protein intake was categorised into quintiles. Sources of protein were also captured. Mortality was ascertained through the New South Wales death registry. Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the association between dietary total, animal and plant protein intake and risk of mortality. Results: The mean age of the CHAMP men was 81 years. In total, 162 men died during a median follow‐up of 3.7 years. Of these, 54 (33.3%) and 49 (30.2%) men died due to cancer and cardiovascular disease, respectively. There were U‐shaped associations between protein intake and all‐cause and cancer mortality. In multiple adjusted analysis, the second (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.38; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.18–0.82) and third (HR = 0.36; 95% CI = 0.16–0.82) quintiles of protein intakes were significantly associated with reduced risk of all‐cause and only second quintile (HR = 0.47; 95% CI = 0.10–0.93) of protein intake was significantly associated with cancer mortality. Each serve increase in animal protein was significantly associated with 12% (HR = 1.12; 95% CI = 1.00–1.26) and 23% (HR = 1.23; 95% CI = 1.02–1.49) increased risk of all‐cause mortality and cancer mortality respectively. Conversely, each serve increase in plant protein intake was significantly associated with 25% (HR = 0.75; 95% CI 0.61–0.92) and 28% (HR = 0.72; 95% CI = 0.53–0.97) reduced risk of all‐cause and cancer mortality, respectively. No such associations were observed for cardiovascular disease mortality. Conclusions: Both second and third quintiles of total protein intake were associated with reduced all‐cause and cancer mortality. Plant protein was inversely associated with all‐cause and cancer mortality, whereas animal protein intake was positively associated with mortality. Key points: Our findings suggest a U‐shaped association between life expectancy and total protein intake, in which lifespan is greatest among people with 93–113 g day–1 total protein intake, a level that might be considered moderate in Australia but high in other countries.Both second and third quintiles of total protein intake (range between 79.23 and 107.19 g day–1) were associated with reduced risk of all‐cause and cancer mortality.Higher consumption of animal‐derived proteins was associated with greater mortality risk, whereas this association was reversed when protein consumption was replaced with plant‐derived protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]