Meal frequency and vegetable intake does not predict the development of frailty in older adults

• Published in: Nutrition and health (Berkhamsted) Vol. 25; no. 1; p. 21
• Main Authors: Johannesson, Julie, Rothenberg, Elisabet, Gustafsson, Susanne, Slinde, Frode
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.03.2019
• Subjects: Aged, 80 and over; Diet; Feeding Behavior; Female; Frail Elderly; Frailty; Humans; Logistic Models; Male; Meals; Risk Factors; Sex Factors; Vegetables; frailty; community dwelling; meal frequency; Aged 80 and older; vegetable intake
• ISSN: 0260-1060
• DOI: 10.1177/0260106018815224

Frailty is considered highly prevalent among the aging population. Fruit and vegetable intake is associated with positive health outcomes across the life-span; however, the relationship with health benefits among older adults has received little attention. The aim was to examine if a relationship exists between meal frequency or frequency of vegetable intake and the development of frailty in a population of older adults. A total of 371 individuals, 80 years or older, from the study 'Elderly Persons in the Risk Zone' were included. Data was collected in the participants' home by face-to-face interviews up to 24 months after the intervention. Baseline data were calculated using Chi -test; statistical significance was accepted at the 5% level. Binary logistic regression was used for the relationship between meal frequency or vegetable intake and frailty. Mean meal frequency was 4.2 ± 0.9 meals per day; women seem to have a somewhat higher meal frequency than men (p=0.02); 57% of the participants had vegetables with at least one meal per day. No significant relationship was found between meal frequency or vegetable intake and frailty at 12 or 24 months follow-ups. Among this group of older adults (80+), meal frequency was slightly higher among women than men, and just over half of the participants had vegetables with at least one meal a day. The risk of developing frailty was not associated with meal frequency or vegetable intake. The questions in this study were meant as indicators for healthy food habits.