Protein Intake and Sarcopenia in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Jul 18;19(14):8718. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19148718.

Abstract

Background: The present systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between protein intake and sarcopenia in older adults.

Methods: Observational studies that investigated the association between protein intake and sarcopenia as the primary or secondary outcome in people aged 60 years and older were included. Studies published in languages other than English, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish were excluded. Studies were retrieved from MEDLINE, SCOPUS, EMBASE, CINAHL, AgeLine, and Food Science Source databases through January 31, 2022. A pooled effect size was calculated based on standard mean differences.

Results: Five cross-sectional studies, one longitudinal study, and one case-control study that investigated 3353 community-dwelling older adults with a mean age of approximately 73 years were included. The meta-analysis of four studies indicated that older adults with sarcopenia consumed significantly less protein than their peers with no sarcopenia.

Conclusions: Results of the present study suggest that an inadequate protein intake might be associated with sarcopenia in older adults.

Keywords: anorexia; dynapenia; elderly; frailty; muscle strength; nutrition; physical function; walking speed.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Review
  • Systematic Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Geriatric Assessment* / methods
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Middle Aged
  • Observational Studies as Topic
  • Sarcopenia* / epidemiology

Grants and funding

This work was partially funded by an Intramural Research Grant from the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (D1.2020; E.M.) and the nonprofit research foundation Centro Studi Achille e Linda Lorenzon (A.P., E.M., H.J.C.-J. and R.C.). The APC was funded by Ministero della Salute—Ricerca Corrente 2022.