Investigating the Association Between Frailty, Nutritional Status and Food Groups Intake Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults Publisher



Khorshidi Y ; Fakhrzadeh H ; Moodi M ; Ettehadmarvasti F ; Karimi K ; Zarepour P ; Khorashadizadeh M ; Khodabakhshi H ; Ejtahed HS ; Sharifi F
Source: Ageing International Published:2025

Abstract

Objective: To assess the association between frailty, malnutrition, and food group intake among older adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1247 adults aged 60 and older who participated in the baseline phase of the Birjand Longitudinal Aging Study (BLAS). Participants were selected using a multistage stratified cluster sampling method. Frailty was assessed using both the frailty phenotype and frailty index approaches. Nutritional status was evaluated using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Data on food group intake, sociodemographic characteristics, physical activity, activities of daily living, and sleep problems were collected. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA version 12. Chi-square tests and one-way ANOVA were used for group comparisons. Multinomial logistic regression models were applied to examine associations, adjusting for potential confounders. Results: Based on the frailty index, 16.20% and 73.14% of participants were frail and prefrail, respectively. Poor nutritional status (malnourished or at risk) was observed in 26.54% of participants, and 49.93% of frail individuals had poor nutritional status. Malnourished individuals had significantly higher risks of frailty (RRR = 6.78; 95% CI: 3.39–13.58) and prefrailty (RRR = 2.36; 95% CI: 2.27–4.31). Higher fruit and vegetable intake was inversely associated with frailty. Those in the highest tertile had significantly lower frailty risk: 0.24 (95% CI: 0.12–0.48) for the frailty index and 0.52 (95% CI: 0.30–0.90) for the frailty phenotype. High intake of milk and dairy products also showed a protective effect (RRR = 0.46; 95% CI: 0.27–0.78). Other food groups showed no significant association. Conclusion: Poor nutritional status is strongly associated with increased frailty risk in older adults. Fruit, vegetable, and dairy intake may have protective roles against frailty. Malnourished individuals had reduced intake of all major food groups. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.