Dietary patterns and intrinsic capacity among community-dwelling older adults: a 3-year prospective cohort study

Purpose The WHO has proposed a novel model of healthy aging called intrinsic capacity (IC). However, the association between dietary patterns and IC is unclear. We aimed to investigate the prospective associations between dietary patterns and IC trajectories over a 3-year period in community-dwelling Japanese adults aged >= 60 years. Methods A prospective cohort study which contained nutritional status, mental status, and physical function was used. A validated 34-item food frequency questionnaire was used to determine dietary intake and to derive five dietary patterns (fruits and vegetables, sugar and fat, salt and pickles, noodle and alcohol, and protein-rich) using principal component analysis. The composite IC score was calculated as the mean of the locomotion Z-score, cognition Z-score, psychological Z-score, vitality Z-score, and sensory regression score. A generalized estimating equation was applied for longitudinal analysis. Results A total of 666 enrollees were included in the analysis. The mean baseline IC was 0.07 +/- 0.47. The fruits and vegetables dietary pattern was positively associated with composite IC score changes after adjusting for confounders (Q4 vs. Q1: mean difference [0.069], P = 0.019). Similarly, a positive correlation was observed for the protein-rich dietary pattern with the composite IC score changes (Q4 vs. Q1: mean difference [0.092], Q3 vs. Q1: mean difference [0.101], Q2 vs. Q1: mean difference [0.083]; all P < 0.01). However, adherence to the sugar and fat dietary pattern was negatively associated with composite IC score changes (Q4 vs. Q1: mean difference [- 0.072], P = 0.026). Furthermore, the percentage of animal protein to total protein intake showed a significant incremental trend in the protein-rich dietary pattern (P for trend < 0.001). Conclusion The fruits and vegetables and protein-rich (animal-based protein in particular) dietary patterns were positively associated with IC changes, whereas the sugar and fat dietary pattern was negatively associated with IC changes. Identification and promotion of healthy dietary patterns in older adults may inform future health policies and research.

Automated summary

In community-dwelling Japanese adults aged 60 and older, dietary patterns rich in fruits and vegetables and protein were positively associated with changes in intrinsic capacity, while a diet high in sugar and fat was negatively associated with changes in intrinsic capacity. Promoting healthy dietary patterns in older adults may have significant implications for future health policies and research.