The Relationship Between High-Protein Diets and Sarcopenia Among Iranian Elderly Population Publisher



Abesi A ; Mahmoodi M ; Dehghani F ; Shateri Z ; Sohrabi Z ; Nouri M ; Dabbaghmanesh M H
Source: International Journal of Nutrition Sciences Published:2026

Abstract

Background: Nutrition is crucial for boosting the performance, muscular power, and size of older adults. The current research’s objective was to explore the link between the risk of sarcopenia and a high-protein diet score among Iranian elderly population. Methods: Two groups of a case group of 80 elderly individuals and a control group of 80 elderly subjects aged 65 years or older in Iran were enrolled. The recommendations of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia were applied to diagnose sarcopenia. To assess dietary intake, a food frequency questionnaire with 168 items was applied. There were three distinct kinds of high-protein diets created. Using logistic regression, the link between the risk of sarcopenia and high-protein diet scores was analyzed. Results: Each point rise in all high-protein diet scores (low-carbo, low-fat, and high-protein diet [odds ratio (OR)=0.638, 95% confidence interval (95%CI): 0.551-0.739; low-fat, high-carb, and high-protein diet: OR=0.856, 95%CI: 0.813-0.902; high-fat, low-carb, and high-protein diet: OR=0.828, 95%CI: 0.757-0.907)] was linked to a lower chance of developing sarcopenia in the crude model. However, in the adjusted models, no association was identified between and all high-protein diet scores and sarcopenia odds. Conclusion: The current case-control study did not find any significant correlation between high-protein dietary intake and the risk of sarcopenia. © International Journal of Nutrition Sciences.