Objective: To analyze the dietary factors on sarcopenia in elderly in Beijing and provide nutritional recommendations for the sarcopenia.
Method: A total of 830 participants aged 60 and above and without serious diseases were selected from two representative communities in Beijing. A cross-sectional research design was used, including inquiry investigation, dietary surveys (food frequency questionnaire) anthropometry, muscle mass and functional assessment.
Results: The prevalence of sarcopenia was 20.1% in this area, the men was 17.1%, while the women was 21.6% (P > 0.05). The prevalence of sarcopenia in the five age groups has significant statistically difference (chi2 = 19.03, P = 0.0008) and increased with age rising (Z = -4.18, P < 0.0001). The prevalence of sarcopenia would be downward if the time of exercise prolonged and body mass index (BMI) increased (P < 0.05). The prevalence of sarcopenia in the group of meat consumption <35, 35-70, > 70 g/d was 24.5%,19.9% and 15. 3% (chi2 = 6.02, P = 0.0492), respectively (trend test for groups comparison, Z = 2.45, P =0.0141). The prevalence of sarcopenia in the group of egg consumption <35, 35-60, >60 g/d was 25.8%, 18.7% and 11.3% (chi2 = 6.50, P = 0.0388), respectively ( trend test for groups comparison, Z =2. 55, P = 0.0109). The prevalence of sarcopenia in the group of energy consumption < 1612, 1612-2109, > 2109 kcal/d was 25.8%,19.5% and 15. 0% (x2 = 8. 19 , P = 0. 0158), respectively (trend test for groups comparison, Z = 2.87, P = 0.0042). The prevalence of sarcopenia in the group of protein consumption < 58.2, 58.2 - 78.4, > 78.4 g/d was 25.3%, 18.2% and 16.7% (chi2 = 5.97, P = 0. 0505 ) , respectively (Z = 2.28, P = 0.0227). After controlling the influence of age, BMI, exercise and education, meat consumption (beta = -0.1703, P = 0.0119), egg consumption (beta = -0.1545, P = 0.0302) and the high quality protein consumption (beta = -0.1805, P = 0.0302) were negatively related with sarcopenia.
Conclusion: Animal food, such as meet and egg, is an important protective factor for sarcopenia. Therefore, it is the first important thing for the elderly to ensure adequate energy intake, then you should increase the animal food intake which contains high quality protein to prevent sarcopenia.