[The nutritional and dietary intake among community-dwelling elderly female users of mobile vendor vehicles]

AIM

We compared the nutritional and dietary intakes of users of mobile vendor vehicles and users of stores to clarify the problems in the nutritional intake of users of mobile vendor vehicles.

METHODS

We conducted a questionnaire about the food accessibility among 257 elderly women (age: ≥65 years) who used mobile vendor vehicles and/or stores to shop. The nutritional intake was assessed using the 24-hour recall method. We used an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to calculate the age-adjusted mean values for the total nutritional intake.

RESULTS

The nutritional intake among users of mobile vendor vehicles included significantly lower intakes of energy (168 kcal), green vegetables, other vegetables, and meats. Furthermore, those who only shopped at mobile vendor vehicles consumed less energy and fewer nutrients than those who shopped at places other than mobile vendor vehicles. The comparison of the shopping frequency and nutritional intake of the subjects who used mobile vendor vehicles alone revealed that the energy and protein intakes of those who shopped once per week was significantly lower in comparison to those who shopped twice per week.

CONCLUSIONS

Users of mobile vendor vehicles had lower intakes of macronutrients and various minerals and vitamins. Among the food groups, intakes of vegetables, meat, and dairy products were low. These findings suggest that the lack of means of shopping other than mobile vendor vehicles and shopping once per week may be associated with an inadequate dietary intake among users of mobile vendor vehicles. It would be desirable to develop the shopping environment is desirable.

Physical functions, health-related outcomes, nutritional status, and blood markers in community-dwelling cancer survivors aged 75 years and older

BACKGROUND

A cancer survivor is defined as anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer, from the time of diagnosis through the rest of their life. The purpose of this study was to examine whether physical functions, health-related outcomes, nutritional status and blood markers in community-dwelling cancer survivors aged 75 years and older are different from those who do not have cancer

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two hundred seventy-five participants were asked by physicians, nurses, and physical therapists, questions regarding cancer history in a face-to-face interview. Data were collected for demographic information, physical functions, such as handgrip strength, knee extension power, abdominal muscle strength, static standing balance, walking speed and the timed-up-and-go test, health-related outcomes, nutritional status, and blood markers. The measured parameters of survivor diagnosed with cancer were compared with those without a history of cancer.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven older adults were previously diagnosed with cancer. Female cancer survivors had lower knee extension power (p<0.05), abdominal muscle strength (p<0.05), walking speed (p<0.05), timed-up-and-go test score (p<0.05), and time to spend on walking per day (p<0.05) than older women without a history of cancer. In men, none of the measured parameters were significantly different between cancer survivors and older men with no history of cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study shows that partial physical function of women cancer survivors aged 75 years and older differs from that in women with no history of cancer.

[Relationships between nutritional status and the effects of exercise training in frail elderly people]

AIM

The objectives of this study were to examine the relationship between nutritional status indicators such as body mass index (BMI) and serum albumin, and the effects of exercise intervention in community-dwelling frail elderly people.

METHODS

We enrolled 44 subjects aged 65 years and older (average age 73.9±5.1 years) in this study. The subjects participated in exercise intervention, including muscle strength training twice a week for 3 months. We evaluated various functional performance measures at the start and end of the intervention, and calculated the measurement differences. We then evaluated any relationships between nutritional status and the amount of changes.

RESULTS

Some physical functions improved after exercise intervention, even in participants with under-nutritional status. There were no significant differences or relationships found between nutritional status and improvements in physical function.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that the physical functions of frail elderly people can improve regardless of their nutritional status. Further study is necessary to evaluate the influence of nutritional status on exercise effects, and the optimal method of applying exercise interventions, primarily for community-dwelling frail older people.

Low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels associated with falls among Japanese community-dwelling elderly

Previous studies have shown that low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] level is a risk factor for falls among the elderly in European and North American populations. We used a cross-sectional community-based survey to study the association of serum 25(OH)D level and falls among Japanese community-dwelling elderly. A total of 2957 elderly persons (950 men and 2007 women) 65-92 yr of age who participated in mass health examinations for the prevention of geriatric syndrome for the elderly underwent an interview, blood analysis, and physical performance testing. Experience of falls over the previous year was assessed in an interview. Physical performance tests of handgrip strength, stork standing time with the eyes open, and normal waking speed as risk factors for falls among the elderly were conducted. Serum albumin and 25(OH)D concentrations were analyzed. Mean 25(OH)D concentration was significantly lower in women than in men (p < 0.001). Women showed a significant decline of 25(OH)D level with increased age (p < 0.001). There was also a significant difference in the prevalence of 25(OH)D insufficiency [25(OH)D level < 20 ng/ml] between the sexes (p < 0.001). The rate of falls was significantly higher in the lowest quartile of 25(OH)D level in women (p = 0.02) and in women with 25(OH)D insufficiency (p = 0.001). Women also showed significant declines in all three fall-related physical performance tests. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed significant and independent associations between 25(OH)D level and experience of falls in women only (p = 0.01). Low 25(OH)D level was significantly associated with a high prevalence of falls in Japanese elderly women because of their inferior physical performance. Low serum 25(OH)D levels appear preventable and easily treated; there is an evident need for greater awareness to screen and thus prevent this condition.

[Health status of community-dwelling elderly with geriatric syndrome]

OBJECTIVES

This study was conducted in order to examine the prevalence of geriatric syndrome (falls, incontinence, depression, and under-nutrition) in community-dwelling elderly people, and to analyze the health status of the elderly with geriatric syndrome risk compared to those of a group not at risk.

METHODS

The subjects comprised 1,784 residents (769 men and 1,015 women) aged 70 years or more living in Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, who took part in the study. For this study, we divided the subjects into two groups: those with geriatric syndrome (n=688) and those without (n=1,096).

RESULTS

It was found that 33.6% of men and 42.4% of women had geriatric syndrome. Elderly with geriatric syndrome in both men and women had a significantly lower the proportion of subjects who perceived as 'healthy' in terms of the self-rated health, the higher-level functional capacity, higher prevalence of fear of falling, and decreased physical performance including handgrip strength and usual.maximal walking speed than those in the group who did not have geriatric syndrome. Logistic regression analysis showed that geriatric syndrome was associated with poor perceived self-rated health, a lower hemoglobin level and a slower usual walking speed in men, whereas in women it was associated with poor perceived self-rated health and fear of falling.

CONCLUSION

Elderly individuals with geriatric syndrome have significantly decreased health status and physical performance compared to those without geriatric syndrome.

Concomitant Lower Serum Albumin and Vitamin D Levels Are Associated with Decreased Objective Physical Performance among Japanese Community-Dwelling Elderly

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have shown that serum albumin or vitamin D is associated with physical performance. We hypothesized that older adults with concomitant lower serum albumin and vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D, 25OHD) levels are associated with decreased physical performance compared to those with 1 or none of the 2 risk factors.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association of combined serum albumin and 25OHD levels with physical performance (muscle strength and balance capability) in community-dwelling elderly.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study in a community-based population in the province of Tokyo, Japan, was performed. For the study, 1,094 community-dwelling people aged 70 and older underwent an interview, anthropometric measurements, blood analysis and physical performance testing. The subjects were classified into 4 types by combining serum albumin and 25OHD levels: lower albumin only, lower vitamin D only, lower albumin and lower vitamin D, higher albumin and higher vitamin D.

RESULTS

Men with concomitant lower albumin and lower 25OHD levels had significantly decreased knee extension power, usual timed Up & Go and maximal timed Up & Go, even after adjusting for age and body mass index (BMI). In women, concomitant lower albumin and lower vitamin D was associated with significantly decreased handgrip strength and functional reach, even after adjusting for age and BMI. Subjects with combined lower albumin and lower vitamin D levels showed a significant decline in muscle strength and balance capability compared to higher albumin and higher vitamin D, even after adjusting for age, current drinking or smoking status, physical activity, history of chronic disease, basic activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, BMI and bone mineral density.

CONCLUSION

Concomitant lower serum albumin and lower vitamin D levels are associated with decreased muscle strength and balance capability in both men and women. These results suggest that serum albumin and 25OHD together may be an important target for strategies aiming to achieve a healthy life and prevent loss of independence in community-dwelling elderly.