Energy Intake Is Highly Associated with Handgrip Strength in Community-Dwelling Elderly Adults

Ronit Doyev, Rachel Axelrod, Lital Keinan-Boker, Tal Shimony, Rebecca Goldsmith, Lesley Nitsan, Rita Dichtiar, Tali Sinai

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Handgrip strength (HGS) is used to assess muscle strength, which is an important indicator of health status in older adults. Objective: We evaluated associations of demographic, anthropometric, clinical, and nutritional factors with muscle strength in community-dwelling elderly adults. Methods: This population-based cross-sectional study employed the 2014-2015 Israeli Health and Nutrition Survey in the Elderly (n = 1039, age ≥65 y, 46.7% males, 9.9% Arabs). Trained personnel performed face-to-face interviews that focused on health and nutrition status, as well as anthropometric measurements and examinations. HGS was measured in the dominant hand 3 times using a digital grip strength dynamometer; the highest result was reported. Dietary intake data were collected using single-day 24-h recall. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to explore factors associated with low HGS (<27 kg for men and <16 kg for women). Results: HGS measurements were completed by 704 participants. Following adjustment for several factors, higher prevalence of low HGS was significantly associated with age (OR: 1.14; 95% CI: 1.11, 1.18), whereas decreased prevalence was associated with higher levels of education (OR: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.32, 0.94) and meeting physical activity recommendations (OR: 0.53; 95% CI: 0.31, 0.88); P < 0.05 for all. Incremental increases of 100 kcal/d in energy intake and of 1 cm in midarm circumference were associated with decreased prevalence of low HGS (OR: 0.95; 95% CI: 0.91, 0.99 and OR: 0.91; 95% CI: 0.85, 0.97, respectively; P < 0.01 for both). Associations were not found of low HGS with ethnicity, comorbidity, BMI, smoking, or alcohol consumption or with protein, carbohydrate, or fat intakes. Conclusion: Energy intake, physical activity, midarm circumference, and education are associated with HGS in elderly Israeli adults. Further cohort studies are necessary to assess possible causal relations between these factors and HGS. Modifiable factors should be targeted in planning public health strategies for promoting a healthy aging population.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1249-1255
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Nutrition
Volume151
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 May 2021

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society for Nutrition.

Keywords

  • MABAT
  • handgrip
  • midarm circumference
  • muscle strength
  • nutritional intake
  • older adults
  • Humans
  • Independent Living
  • Male
  • Energy Intake
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Female
  • Aged
  • Nutritional Status
  • Hand Strength

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Medicine (miscellaneous)

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