Body composition, physical function, and dietary patterns in people from 20 to over 80 years old: the INSPIRE-T cohort

Abstract

Abstract Objectives: Nutrition is a modifiable factor that may influence biochemical pathways associated with age-related body composition and physical function changes. This study aimed to describe dietary patterns and their relationships with body composition, physical performance, and grip strength according to age and sex. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: The data were collected in either the Clinical Research Center (CRC) of the Gérontopôle of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) of Toulouse or in participant’s home for those who were unable to come to the research facilities. Participants: 470 (63% female) participants of the INSPIRE-T cohort, from 20 to 93 years old. Measurements: The “Mediterranean-like” (i.e., plant-based foods, dairy), “Animal products” (i.e., meat, processed meat, butter, refined starch), and “Sugar and fast food” (i.e., ultra-processed and sugary foods) dietary patterns were extracted by principal component analysis. Total and trunk fat mass indexes (FMI, kg/m²), and total and appendicular lean mass indexes (LMI, kg/m²) were assessed by DXA. Physical performance comprised gait speed (m/sec), chair rise (sec), the Short Physical Performance Battery test (/12 points), and handgrip strength (kg) was assessed. The associations were explored through multivariate linear regressions by sex and age groups: ≥20 to <50, ≥50 to <65, and ≥65 years. Results: In middle-aged women, greater adherence to the “Animal products” diet was associated with higher total and appendicular LMI, whether higher intake of “Sugar and fast food” resulted in worse physical performance. In middle-aged men, the “Mediterranean-like” diet was associated with lower total and trunk FMI, and total and appendicular LMI. Greater compliance with the “Animal products” diet was related to lower strength. Higher “Sugar and fast food” diet intake was associated with greater total and trunk FMI, and slower gait speed. Body composition did not mediate these relationships. Conclusion: Men were more prone to have less healthy food intake in all age groups. Diets composed of sugary foods, fast foods, and processed meat were associated with higher fat mass and poorer physical performance and strength.