The Diet Quality and Nutrition Inadequacy of Pre-Frail Older Adults in New Zealand

This study aimed to describe the diet quality of pre-frail community-dwelling older adults to extend the evidence of nutrition in frailty prevention. Pre-frailty, the transition state between a robust state and frailty, was ascertained using the FRAIL scale. Socio-demographic, health status, and 24-h dietary recalls were collected from 465 community-dwelling adults aged 75+ (60 years for Maori and Pacific people) across New Zealand. Diet quality was ascertained with the Diet Quality Index-International (DQI-I). Participants (median (IQR) age 80 (77-84), 59% female) had a moderately healthful diet, DQI-I score: 60.3 (54.0-64.7). Women scored slightly higher than men (p = 0.042). DQI-I components identified better dietary variety in men (p = 0.044), and dietary moderation in women (p = 0.002); both sexes performed equally well in dietary adequacy and poorly in dietary balance scores (73% and 47% of maximum scores, respectively). Low energy 20.3 (15.4-25.3) kcal/kg body weight (BW) and protein intakes 0.8 (0.6-1.0) g/kg BW were coupled with a high prevalence of mineral inadequacies: calcium (86%), magnesium (68%), selenium (79%), and zinc (men 82%). In conclusion, the diet quality of pre-frail older adults was moderately high in variety and adequacy but poor in moderation and balance. Our findings support targeted dietary interventions to ameliorate frailty.

Automated summary

The study found that the diet quality of pre-frail older adults was high in variety and adequacy but poor in moderation and balance. There were mineral inadequacies present, highlighting the need for targeted dietary interventions to improve frailty in older adults.