Body Composition Assessment and Nutritional Status Evaluation in Men and Women Portuguese Centenarians

[Dietary diversity, anthropometric status and biochemical profile of centenarians of the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica, and their offspring]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Social relationships, physical activity and diet have been proposed as responsible for longevity; however, many of these conditions have changed in modern societies. The objective of this study was to identify if the anthropometric status, biochemical profile and diet of Nicoyan centenarians is different from that of their decency and if the quality and diversity of the diet of these Costa Ricans differs from that of adults from urban areas of the same country.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Anthropometric, biochemical and dietary assessments were carried out on 120 adults residing in the Nicoya Peninsula, including centenarians, their children and grandchildren. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

RESULTS

There is a significantly lower percentage of excess weight, central adiposity and blood lipids in Nicoyan centenarians compared to their children and grandchildren. The consumption of «Dairy» and «Other fruits» is higher in centenarians than in their descendants. Centenarians showed a higher dietary diversity index (DDI) compared to other age categories, and they also showed a higher DDI and a significantly more diverse diet than the urban population of Costa Rica.

CONCLUSION

Nicoyan centenarians presented a better lipid and glycemic profile than their offspring, they have lower weight and a better quality and diversity of diet than their relatives and than adults from the urban area of Costa Rica.

Malnutrition significantly affected centenarian prognoses: A prospective study with 5-year follow-up

BACKGROUND

The world is currently facing a much-needed conundrum, and population aging has become an important worldwide problem. Appropriate nutritional intervention could prolong survival time and reduce mortality rate. However, scarce study has involved the effects of nutrition on survival time in centenarians and evaluated the malnutrition with prognostic nutritional index (PNI) in relation to healthy aging. This prospective study was designed to investigate the effects of malnutrition through PNI assessment on mortality rate and survival time with 5-year follow-up in Chinese centenarians.

METHODS

A household survey was conducted on the centenarians in 18 cities and counties of Hainan province, and malnutrition was evaluated by PNI as an effective tool in 423 centenarians followed up for 5-year.

RESULTS

Prevalence of malnutrition was 19.4%. Body mass index (BMI) was significantly lower and malnutrition was significantly more in the dead group than those in the survival group (all P < 0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that BMI [Hazard ratio (HR): 0.913; 95%CI: 0.854-0.977] negatively affected mortality rate, whereas malnutrition (HR: 2.630; 95%CI:1.474-4.695) positively affected mortality rate in centenarians (all P < 0.05). When BMI was <18.5 kg/m2, malnutrition (HR: 4.401; 95%CI: 1.948-9.943) also positively affected mortality rate (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This prospective study with 5-year follow-up demonstrated that malnutrition had positive effect on mortality rate, especially when BMI was lower than 18.5 kg/m2, in Chinese centenarians. In order to reduce mortality rate and prolong survival time, it is essential to pay attention to malnutrition in elderly population.

The Role of Protein Intake on the Total Milk Protein in Lead-Exposed Lactating Mothers

Protein is an essential macronutrient for the growth and development of infants. Protein levels in lactating mothers are dynamic and influenced by various factors, particularly the environment and maternal characteristics. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the complex correlation between maternal blood lead levels (BLLs), maternal diet, and total milk protein. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare total milk protein in the three groups of lead exposure, while Spearman's correlation was used to assess the correlation between maternal diet, BLLs, and total milk protein. The multivariate analysis used multiple linear regression. The results showed that the median of maternal BLLs and total milk protein were 3.3 µg/dL and 1.07 g/dL, respectively. Maternal protein intake and current BMI had a positive correlation with total milk protein, while BLLs had a negative correlation. BLLs ≥ 5 μg/dL had the most significant impact on reducing the total milk protein (p = 0.032). However, increasing maternal protein intake can effectively maintain total milk protein levels in mothers with BLLs under 5 μg/dL (p < 0.001). It is crucial to measure BLLs in lactating mothers residing in areas exposed to lead because high maternal protein intake can only maintain total milk protein levels when the BLLs are <5 μg/dL.

Nutritional Management in a 101-Year-Old Woman with Physical Inactivity and General Weakness: A Case Report

Japan has the world's highest life longevity, and centenarian patients are no longer rare. However, sufficient information related to centenarians is not available. Herein, we report the case of a 101-year-old centenarian woman who recovered from extreme inactivity and general weakness, mainly through nutritional management at home, to understand instances of nutritional management in centenarians. The patient developed lethargy, with a rapid decline in activity levels and food intake. She was diagnosed with senility by a primary doctor. We concluded that she had no problems with feeding and swallowing and predicted that her motivation to eat had decreased. We planned an intervention that lasted three months. To reduce the risk of aspiration, we paid attention to her posture while eating. To stimulate her appetite, we increased the variety and color of food items. To consider both the texture of food and safety, we changed the form of foods from paste (IDDSI Level 4)-like to solid food of regular size as much as possible. We recommended that the patient consume her favorite sweet between meals to enjoy eating. Two and half months after the initial intervention, the patient's inactivity and general weakness improved dramatically, which was recognized by her willingness to eat, laugh loudly, and hum, although she could not speak clearly. The patient finally was able to have dinner with her family.

Use of bioelectrical impedance analysis in centenarians: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Centenarians often represent one of the best examples of aging successfully. However, the role of body composition or hydration status assessed with bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is poorly explored in this population. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to better understand the use and the role of BIA for evaluating body composition and hydration status in centenarians.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review of the literature up to the 1st of May, 2022 for published articles providing data on BIA to evaluate body composition parameters or hydration status in centenarians. Data were summarized descriptively because a meta-analysis was not possible due to the scarcity of available studies.

RESULTS

Among 2222 articles screened, four were eligible including 291 centenarians (mean age: 100.5 years) who were mainly women (88%). In one study, BIA overestimated fat-free mass and underestimated fat mass when compared to deuterium oxide dilution. Another study carried out in Italy including 14 centenarians found a significant correlation between BIA and fat-free mass evaluated using anthropometric tools. In one study, BIA showed a significant agreement with anthropometric measures of fat mass. In the same sample, sarcopenia and dehydration, evaluated with BIA, had a high prevalence.

CONCLUSION

BIA may be used for assessing body composition in centenarians, but research is limited to a few studies suggesting the need of future research in this area.

Does nutritional status influence the effects of a multicomponent exercise programme on body composition and physical fitness in older adults with limited physical function?

Physical exercise effects and ageing on fitness may be influenced by nutritional status. This study investigates the effects of a 6-month multicomponent exercise training (MCT) on nutritional status and evaluates if this type of exercise could affect differently body composition and physical fitness depending on the nutritional status of older adults with decreased functional capacity. Ninety-three participants (80.4 ± 6.0 y) were divided into control (n = 45) and intervention (n = 48) groups. The intervention consisted of a 6-month multicomponent training. Comparisons between changes in body composition and fitness during the 6-months were performed between individuals at risk of malnutrition and those well-nourished, according to the Mini Nutritional Assessment. Model mixed-effect analyses were used to investigate differences after the 6 months of MCT between groups. Well-nourished participants compared with those at risk of malnutrition had higher: arm (13.4 ± 3.5 vs 14.3 ± 33.6 repetitions) and leg strength (9.0 ± 3.0 vs 11.1 ± 3.3 repetitions), maximum walking speed (31.6 ± 13.1 vs 23.7 ± 6.3s), agility (11.9 ± 5.8 vs 8.3 ± 2.1s), and aerobic capacity (31.6 ± 13.1 vs 23.7 ± 6.3 m), at baseline. After the training, those without risk of malnutrition in CON decreased their nutritional status (-1.7 + 0.7 points). Those well-nourished that performed the intervention decreased total fat mass (-1.0 ± 0.3 kg) and body fat percentage (-1.2 ± 0.4%). Both groups of training improved similarly in all tests, except for balance, in which the well-nourished showed improvements of 6.3 ± 1.9s. These results underline the usefulness of MCT in improving physical fitness regardless of nutritional status and preventing nutritional status detriment in well-nourished older adults, who are fitter and benefit more, in terms of body composition.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03831841.Highlights Multicomponent exercise programme seems to be effective in delaying detriments in the nutritional status of well-nourished people.Well-nourished older people obtain more benefits in body composition from the multicomponent exercise than those at risk of malnutrition, decreasing adiposity.The positive effect of multicomponent exercise was observed in physical fitness independently of nutritional status.

Age and Gender-related Variations of Molecular and Phenotypic Parameters in A Cohort of Sicilian Population: from Young to Centenarians

People are living longer, but lifespan increase does not coincide with a boost in health-span. Thus, improving the quality of life of older people is a priority. Centenarians reach extreme longevity in a relatively good health status, escaping or delaying fatal or strongly invalidating diseases. Therefore, studying processes involved in longevity is important to explain the biological mechanisms of health and well-being, since knowledge born from this approach can provide valuable information on how to slow aging. We performed the present study in a well characterized very homogeneous sample of 173 people from Western Sicily, to update existing literature on some phenotypic aspects of aging and longevity and to propose a range of values for older people. We classified 5 age groups, from young adults to centenarians, to understand the age and gender-related variations of the different parameters under study. We collected anamnestic data and performed anthropometric, bioimpedance, molecular, haematological, oxidative, and hematochemical tests, adopting a multidimensional analysis approach. An important evidence of the present study is that there are differences related to both age and gender in several biomarkers. Indeed, gender differences seem to be still poorly considered and inadequately investigated in aging as well as in other medical studies. Moreover, we often observed comparable parameters between young and centenarians rather than non-agenarians and centenarians, hypothesizing a sort of slowdown, almost followed by a reversal trend, in the decay of systemic deterioration. The study of centenarians provides important indications on how to slow aging, with benefits for those who are more vulnerable to disease and disability. The identification of the factors that predispose to a long and healthy life is of enormous interest for translational medicine in an aging world.

Irisin serum increasing pattern is higher at moderate-intensity continuous exercise than at moderate-intensity interval exercise in obese females

Lifestyle, unhealthy eating patterns, and low physical activity become trigger factors of obesity. Therefore, lifestyle modification with an exercise-based nonpharmacological approach is one of the strategies for combat obesity. This study aims to analyse the response of moderate-intensity interval and continuous exercise to irisin level increasing pattern on the obese female. A total of 21 obese females were enrolled in this study and given moderate-intensity interval exercise (MIIE) and moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE). ELISA was used to quantify the serum level of irisin in all samples. Statistical analysis was performed using one way-ANOVA and Tukey’s honestly significant difference (HSD) post hoc test. Mean irisin levels of pre-exercise at control (CON), MIIE, and MICE were 3.26±1.28l, 3.44±0.56 and 3.89±1.08 ng/ml, respectively (P=0.519). The mean irisin level of 10 min post-exercise was 2.99±0.86 ng/ml at CON, 4.82±1.01 ng/ml at MIIE, and 5.99±1.27 ng/ml at MICE (P=0.000). The mean irisin levels of 6 h post-exercise were 3.04±0.60, 4.56±0.87, and 5.73±1.02 ng/ml at CON, MIIE, and MICE, respectively (P=0.000). The mean irisin level of 24 h post-exercise was 3.04±0.91 ng/ml at CON, 4.64±0.69 ng/ml at MIIE, and 5.69±1.53 ng/ml at MICE (P=0.002). We conclude that the post-exercise serum irisin level increased in both MICE and MIIE subjects, and the post-exercise serum irisin level maintained higher in the MICE than in the MIIE in the obese female subjects.

Anthropometry as a readily accessible health assessment of older adults

Anthropometry (derived from the Greek Anthropos: human, and metron: measure) refers to the systematic collection, and measurement of the physical characteristics of the human body, primarily body weight, body size, and shape. Anthropometric values are closely related to genetic factors, environmental characteristics, social, and cultural conditions, lifestyle, functional status, and health. Anthropometric measurements can be used to assess risk of malnutrition, obesity, muscle wasting, increased fat mass, and maldistribution of adipose tissue. Potential modifiable factors include circumferences, skinfolds, and body weight. While are height, and the bone diameters are non-modifiable. Kinanthropometry is the study of size, shape, proportionality, composition, biological maturation, and body function, in order to understand the process of growth, exercise, sports performance, and nutrition. Aging of the population, which is associated with increased risk of chronic disease, and disability, is one of the most important demographic changes facing many countries. Anthropometric indicators are simple, portable, non-invasive, inexpensive, and easily applied measurements that can be readily applied in geriatric populations to guide preventative measures, and medical interventions in older adults.

Body Composition and Selected Nutritional Indicators in Healthy Adults-A Cross-Sectional Study

Background

Body mass composition is subject to constant change and is multifactorially determined. Its analysis in different age groups allows a better understanding of the determinants of the human organism in health and disease.

Aim

The study was aimed to conduct cross-sectional assessment of body composition and selected nutritional indicators in healthy adults.

Methods

The cross-sectional study carried out from March 2016 to April 2018 was preceded by a monthly pilot study. All 1333 adults (women 795, 59.6%) aged 20–59 included in the study were from the urban and rural area of the Podkarpackie Province (Poland). These adults were classified into four 10-year age bands. To obtain reliable assessment, selected screening (anthropometry) and in-depth (bioelectrical impedance including phase angle and bioelectrical impedance vector analysis) methods were used.

Results

In women, the proportion of individuals affected by overweight and obesity increases significantly with age, with a less pronounced trend in men, as reflected in the observed differences in individual body composition components. A slight (0.45–0.60) correlation was also observed between body mass index (BMI) and percentage of fat mass (FM %) among men with an increasing strength of the association with age, decreasing in the 50–59 years group. In the female group, the correlations described are at a much higher level (0.80 or higher). The described changes in body composition were reflected in body type from athletic to obese, measured by means of the bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) method.

Conclusions

Age and gender significantly differentiate body composition of the adult human body. The body composition analysis should be considered as complement screening assessment method, especially as a support for the assessment of nutritional status expressed by BMI.

Association between Self-Reported and Accelerometer-Based Estimates of Physical Activity in Portuguese Older Adults

Accurate assessment of physical activity (PA) is crucial in interventions promoting it and in studies exploring its association with health status. Currently, there is a wide range of assessment tools available, including subjective and objective measures. This study compared accelerometer-based estimates of PA with self-report PA data in older adults. Additionally, the associations between PA and health outcomes and PA profiles were analyzed. Participants (n = 110) wore a Xiaomi Mi Band 2^® for fifteen consecutive days. Self-reported PA was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and the Yale Physical Activity Survey (YPAS). The Spearman correlation coefficient was used to compare self-reported and accelerometer-measured PA and associations between PA and health. Bland–Altman plots were performed to assess the agreement between methods. Results highlight a large variation between self-reported and Xiaomi Mi Band 2^® estimates, with poor general agreement. The highest difference was found for sedentary time. Low positive correlations were observed for IPAQ estimates (sedentary, vigorous, and total PA) and moderate for YPAS vigorous estimates. Finally, self-reported and objectively measured PA associated differently with health outcomes. Summarily, although accelerometry has the advantage of being an accurate method, self-report questionnaires could provide valuable information about the context of the activity.

The Phenotypic Characterization of the Cammalleri Sisters, an Example of Exceptional Longevity

This article shows demographic, clinical, anamnestic, cognitive, and functional data as well as biochemical, genetic, and epigenetic parameters of two exceptional siblings: Diega (supercentenarian) and Filippa (semisupercentenarian) Cammalleri. The purpose of this study is to provide new insights into the extreme phenotypes represented by semisupercentenarians and supercentenarians. Different studies have been published on supercentenarians, but to the best of our knowledge, this is the only concerning two sisters and the most detailed from a phenotypic point of view. Our findings agree with the suggestion that supercentenarians have an increasing relative resistance to age-related diseases, approximating the limits of the functional human reserve to address successfully the acute causes of death. More interestingly, our data agree with, and extend, the suggestion that inflammation and oxidative stress predict centenarian mortality.

Impact on Longevity of Genetic Cardiovascular Risk and Lifestyle including Red Meat Consumption

Background

Cardiovascular risk (CVR) underlies aging process and longevity. Previous work points to genetic and environmental factors associated with this risk.

Objectives

The aim of this research is to look for any CVR gene-gene and gene-multifactorial/lifestyle interactions that may impact health and disease and underlie exceptional longevity.

Methods

A case-control study involving 521 both gender individuals, 253 centenarians (100.26 ± 1.98 years), and 268 controls (67.51 ± 3.25 years), low (LCR, n = 107) and high (HCR, n = 161) CVR. Hypertension, diabetes, obesity (BMI, kg·m⁻²), and impaired kidney function were defined according to standard criteria. CVR was calculated using Q risk®. DNA was genotyping (ACE-rs4646994, AGT-rs4762, AGR1-rs5182, GRK4-rs2960306, GRK4-rs1024323, NOS3-rs1799983, and SLC12A3-rs13306673) through iPlex-MassARRAY®, read by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and analyzed by EARTDECODE®.

Results

Antilongevity factors consisted (OR 95% CI, p < 0.05) BMI 1.558 (1.445-1.680), hypertension 2.358 (1.565-3.553), smoking habits 4.528 (2.579-7.949), diabetes 5.553 (2.889-10.675), hypercholesterolemia 1.016 (1.010-1.022), and regular consumption of red meat 22.363 (13.987-35.755). Genetic aspects particularly for HCR individuals ACE II (OR: 3.96 (1.83-8.56), p < 0.0001) and NOS3 TT (OR: 3.11 (1.70-5.70), p < 0.0001) genotypes were also risk associate. Obesity, smoking, hypercholesterolemia, and frequent consumption of red meat have an additive action to hypertension in the longevity process. There was a synergistic interaction between the endothelial NOS3 genotypes and the severity of arterial hypertension. An epistatic interaction between functional genetic variants of GRK4 and angiotensinogen was also observed.

Conclusions

Cardiovascular risk-related genetic and multifactorial or predominantly lifestyle aspects and its interactions might influence the aging process and contribute to exceptional longevity in Portuguese centenarians. Besides lifestyle, the activity of nitrite oxide synthase may be one of the main physiologic regulators of cardiovascular protection in the path of longevity.

Prevalence, Disability and Associated Factors of Playing-Related Musculoskeletal Pain among Musicians: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study

Background: Playing-related musculoskeletal disorders are the most frequent complaints among instrumental musicians. The aims of this study were: to assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain; to evaluate neck, shoulder, and lower back disability; and to determine the associated factors with the presence of musculoskeletal pain among musicians. Methods: A population-based, cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted. We selected Spaniard musicians over 16 years old who played a musical instrument for at least five hours per week. They answered the Spanish versions of the Standardised Nordic Questionnaire, the Oswestry Disability Index, Neck Disability Index and Shoulder Pain and Disability Index. Results: We found 94.8% of musicians presented at least one symptomatic region in the last 12 months, and 72.3% in the last seven days. Female musicians (OR 4.38, CI 2.11-9.12), musicians with overweight or obesity (OR 5.32, CI 2.18-12.97), and musicians who play more than 14 h per week (OR 3.86, CI 1.80-8.29)were shown to be a higher risk of suffering musculoskeletal pain. Conclusions: Musculoskeletal disorders symptoms are highly prevalent in musicians. The main risk factors related to musculoskeletal disorders symptoms were gender (being female), overweight, obesity, and spending playing more than 14 h a week practicing. This study highlights the need to provide strategies to prevent occupational disabilities among musicians. Further studies are needed to analyse the prevalence of pain in the musician using other sampling methods.

A novel inhibitor of NF-κB-inducing kinase prevents bone loss by inhibiting osteoclastic bone resorption in ovariectomized mice

Musculoskeletal diseases and disorders, including osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis are diseases that threaten a healthy life expectancy, and in order to extend the healthy life expectancy of elderly people, it is important to prevent bone and joint diseases and disorders. We previously reported that alymphoplasia (aly/aly) mice, which have a loss-of-function mutation in the Nik gene involved in the processing of p100 to p52 in the alternative NF-κB pathway, show mild osteopetrosis with a decrease in the osteoclast number, suggesting that the alternative NF-κB pathway is a potential drug target for ameliorating bone diseases. Recently, the novel NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK)-specific inhibitor compound 33 (Cpd33) was developed, and we examined its effect on osteoclastic bone resorption in vitro and in vivo. Cpd33 inhibited the receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis accompanied by a decrease in the expression of nfatc1, dc-stamp, and cathepsin K, markers of osteoclast differentiation, without affecting the cell viability, in a dose-dependent manner. Cdp33 specifically suppressed the RANKL-induced processing of p100 to p52 but not the phosphorylation of p65 or the degradation or resynthesis of IκBα in osteoclast precursors. Cpd33 also suppressed the bone-resorbing activity in mature osteoclasts. Furthermore, Cdp33 treatment prevented bone loss by suppressing the osteoclast formation without affecting the osteoblastic bone formation in ovariectomized mice. Taken together, NIK inhibitors may be a new option for patients with a reduced response to conventional pharmacotherapy or who have serious side effects.

Inactivity and Skeletal Muscle Metabolism: A Vicious Cycle in Old Age

Aging is an inevitable and gradually progressive process affecting all organs and systems. The musculoskeletal system makes no exception, elderly exhibit an increased risk of sarcopenia (low muscle mass),dynapenia (declining muscle strength), and subsequent disability. Whereas in recent years the subject of skeletal muscle metabolic decline in the elderly has been gathering interest amongst researchers, as well as medical professionals, there are many challenges yet to be solved in order to counteract the effects of aging on muscle function efficiently. Noteworthy, it has been shown that aging individuals exhibit a decline in skeletal muscle metabolism, a phenomenon which may be linked to a number of predisposing (risk) factors such as telomere attrition, epigenetic changes, mitochondrial dysfunction, sedentary behavior (leading to body composition alterations), age-related low-grade systemic inflammation (inflammaging), hormonal imbalance, as well as a hypoproteic diet (unable to counterbalance the repercussions of the age-related increase in skeletal muscle catabolism). The present review aims to discuss the relationship between old age and muscle wasting in an effort to highlight the modifications in skeletal muscle metabolism associated with aging and physical activity.

Comparison of body composition analysis methods among centenary women: Seeking simpler methods

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the most commonly used body composition tools in clinical practice, such as anthropometry and electrical bioimpedance, and compare it with deuterium oxide.

METHODS

An exploratory cross-sectional study was conducted on women aged 100 years or above at home. Body composition was determined by measuring skinfolds (Jackson and Pollock and Durnin and Womersley equations), by bioimpedance, and by the deuterium oxide method.

RESULTS

Body mass index values were lower than 22 kg/m2 in 64% of the subjects. When the various methods used were compared with deuterium oxide, there was better agreement for the determination of fat mass than lean mass. For fat mass, agreement was better when using bioimpedance (Lin's coefficient = 0.70), whereas for lean mass, agreement was better using the Durnin and Womersley equation (Lin's coefficient = 0.51).

CONCLUSION

It is possible to use bioimpedance and skinfolds to evaluate fat mass and lean mass, respectively, in centenarians.

ROLE of IGF-1 System in the Modulation of Longevity: Controversies and New Insights From a Centenarians' Perspective

Human aging is currently defined as a physiological decline of biological functions in the body with a continual adaptation to internal and external damaging. The endocrine system plays a major role in orchestrating cellular interactions, metabolism, growth, and aging. Several in vivo studies from worms to mice showed that downregulated activity of the GH/IGF-1/insulin pathway could be beneficial for the extension of human life span, whereas results are contradictory in humans. In the present review, we discuss the potential role of the IGF-1 system in modulation of longevity, hypothesizing that the endocrine and metabolic adaptation observed in centenarians and in mammals during caloric restriction may be a physiological strategy for extending lifespan through a slower cell growing/metabolism, a better physiologic reserve capacity, a shift of cellular metabolism from cell proliferation to repair activities and a decrease in accumulation of senescent cells. Therefore, understanding of the link between IGF-1/insulin system and longevity may have future clinical applications in promoting healthy aging and in Rehabilitation Medicine.

Implications on older women of age- and sex-related differences in activation patterns of shoulder muscles: A cross-sectional study

We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess differences in neuromotor attributes of shoulder muscles between age groups in both sexes and to better understand functional disorders in older women. Twenty young (20-42 years old), 20 middle-aged (43-67), and 20 older (> 68) adults participated in a comparative surface-electromyography study of five muscles. We identified age-related differences in women, especially in scapula stabilizer muscles. There was a tendency for both sexes of delayed onset times with increasing age, excepting the upper trapezius muscle in females. The results highlight the importance of understanding musculoskeletal aging in women to adequately guide physical therapeutic approaches.

Characterization of Portuguese Centenarian Eating Habits, Nutritional Biomarkers, and Cardiovascular Risk: A Case Control Study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Eating habits may contribute to longevity. We characterized the eating habits and cardiovascular risk (CVR) biomarkers in Portuguese centenarians (CENT) compared to controls.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Centenarians (n = 253), 100.26 ± 1.98 years, were compared with 268 controls (67.51 ± 3.25), low (LCR) and high (HCR) CVR (QRISK®2-2016). Anthropometric and body composition were evaluated by bioimpedance. Abdominal obesity, BMI, and fat mass (FM) cut-offs were according to the WHO. Sarcopenia was defined by muscle mass index cut-off ≤ 16.7 kg/m2. Daily red meat intake, adjusted for age and gender, was sarcopenia protective (OR = 0.25, 95% CI = 0.096-0.670, P = 0.006); however, it contributes for FM excess (OR = 4.946, 95% CI = 1.471-16.626, P = 0.01), overweight, and obesity (OR = 4.804, 95% CI = 1.666-13.851, P = 0.004). This centenarian eating habit (2%) contrasts to HCR (64.3%). The history of red meat (P < 0.0001) and canned/industrialized food intakes (P < 0.0001) was associated with HCR. Basal metabolism was lower in centenarians versus LCR/HCR (CENT = 1176.78 ± 201.98; LCR = 1356.54 ± 170.65; HCR = 1561.33 ± 267.85; P < 0.0001), BMI (CENT = 21.06 ± 3.68; LCR = 28.49 ± 4.69; HCR = 29.56 ± 5.26; P < 0.0001), waist circumference (CENT = 85.29 ± 10.83; LCR = 96.02 ± 11.71; HCR = 104.50 ± 11.84; P < 0.0001), and waist-hip ratio (CENT = 0.88 ± 0.07; LCR = 0.92 ± 0.08; HCR = 1.01 ± 0.08; P < 0.0001). CENT had lower total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, and cholesterol/HDL ratio than controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Frequent consumption of red meat, cholesterol, and heme iron rich may contribute to obesity and increased CVR. The low frequency of this consumption, observed in centenarians, although associated with sarcopenia, may be one of the keys to longevity.

Aging, inflammation and the environment

The aging process is driven by interrelated mechanisms that lead to the emergence of characteristic phenotypes that include changes in body composition, energy production and utilization imbalance, homeostatic dysregulation, and neurodegeneration and loss of neuroplasticity. Mainstream theories of aging all recognize that the aging phenotypes result from an imbalance between stressors and stress buffering mechanisms and a resultant loss of compensatory reserve leading to accumulation of unrepaired damage. This in turn results in increased disease susceptibility, reduced functional reserve, reduced healing capacity and stress resistance, unstable health and finally failure to thrive. The resultant physical and cognitive decline that culminates with the frailty syndrome is a tipping point of healthspan and implies a high risk of system decompensation and death. Preserving physical and cognitive function is the main focus of geriatric and gerontological research, but it is important to recognize that accomplishing this goal requires a profound understanding of the molecular, cellular and physiological mechanisms that ultimately determine functional changes. In this context, the proinflammatory state of aging plays a major role. Longitudinal studies have shown that with aging most individuals tend to develop a chronic low-grade proinflammatory state, and that such a state is a strong risk factor for multimorbidity, physical and cognitive disability, frailty and death. A number of environmental factors may play an important role in modifying the proinflammatory state. We explore processes and mechanisms of aging that affect human biology and the possible links of inflammation and the environment to aging, especially those related to metabolism. We point out that longitudinal studies with a life course approach are needed to gain further mechanistic insight on the processes that lead to functional decline with aging, and the role played in this process by inflammation and environmental challenges.