Geriatric protein nutrition gap and its associated factors in urban older adults : public health concerns for healthy ageing and sarcopenia risk
1
Preventive and social medicine, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A23
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
adequate protein intake is critical for maintaining muscle mass and function in older adults, and recent evidence suggests that intakes of at least 1.0 to 1.2 g/kg may be needed for healthy ageing and to reduce sarcopenia risk, rather than the traditional 0.8 g/kg.¹,² however, community-level data on protein nutrition gaps in older adults from urban indian settings remain limited. this cross-sectional study aimed to assess the geriatric protein nutrition gap and associated factors among urban older adults in the field practice area of a government medical college in bengaluru, india.
METHODS:
the minimum required sample size (n=139) was calculated using a 90% prevalence of inadequate protein intake reported among rural elderly in tamil nadu by boornema aarthy et al.³ data were collected by house-to-house survey using a semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities and medication use, along with anthropometry, the mini nutritional assessment short form and a 24-hour dietary recall focused on protein-rich foods.
RESULTS:
preliminary analysis of 144 older adults shows that nearly two-thirds are male and about three-quarters belong to lower or upper-lower socioeconomic classes. around 3% are underweight, while 60% are overweight or obese using asian cut-offs. on 24-hour recall, 70 to 75% consumed milk or milk products and about two-thirds consumed pulses, but only 20% ate eggs, 25% ate meat, chicken or fish and 2 to 3% consumed nuts or oilseeds; none used commercial protein supplements.
CONCLUSIONS:
these preliminary findings suggest a hidden geriatric protein nutrition gap in an urban indian community, with suboptimal intake of high-quality protein foods despite excess weight in many participants. ongoing analyses will quantify protein intake in g/kg body weight and examine its association with anthropometric indicators, to inform primary-care and community-level strategies that prioritise affordable, protein-focused nutrition counselling for older adults in similar settings.
adequate protein intake is critical for maintaining muscle mass and function in older adults, and recent evidence suggests that intakes of at least 1.0 to 1.2 g/kg may be needed for healthy ageing and to reduce sarcopenia risk, rather than the traditional 0.8 g/kg.¹,² however, community-level data on protein nutrition gaps in older adults from urban indian settings remain limited. this cross-sectional study aimed to assess the geriatric protein nutrition gap and associated factors among urban older adults in the field practice area of a government medical college in bengaluru, india.
METHODS:
the minimum required sample size (n=139) was calculated using a 90% prevalence of inadequate protein intake reported among rural elderly in tamil nadu by boornema aarthy et al.³ data were collected by house-to-house survey using a semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities and medication use, along with anthropometry, the mini nutritional assessment short form and a 24-hour dietary recall focused on protein-rich foods.
RESULTS:
preliminary analysis of 144 older adults shows that nearly two-thirds are male and about three-quarters belong to lower or upper-lower socioeconomic classes. around 3% are underweight, while 60% are overweight or obese using asian cut-offs. on 24-hour recall, 70 to 75% consumed milk or milk products and about two-thirds consumed pulses, but only 20% ate eggs, 25% ate meat, chicken or fish and 2 to 3% consumed nuts or oilseeds; none used commercial protein supplements.
CONCLUSIONS:
these preliminary findings suggest a hidden geriatric protein nutrition gap in an urban indian community, with suboptimal intake of high-quality protein foods despite excess weight in many participants. ongoing analyses will quantify protein intake in g/kg body weight and examine its association with anthropometric indicators, to inform primary-care and community-level strategies that prioritise affordable, protein-focused nutrition counselling for older adults in similar settings.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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