Poor Appetite and Eating Difficulties Can Predict the Long-Term Risk of Falling: A Longitudinal Study in Middle-Aged and Older Adults

Abstract

Objectives: This study investigates whether self-reported nutritional status affects falling among middle-aged and older adults. Method: We used 8-year follow-up data from the Taiwan Longitudinal Study on Aging. At baseline, respondents’ appetite, changes in amount of food intake, and eating difficulties were assessed in a questionnaire-based survey in addition to anthropometric measurements (body mass index, mid-arm circumferences, and involuntary body weight loss). Their associations with falls in the follow-up were examined using multivariable log-binomial regression. Results: The study included 2,519 respondents aged 50 years and older. Poor appetite (prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.25, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.07, 1.46]) and eating difficulties (PR = 1.16, 95% CI = [1.02, 1.32]) significantly predicted falling 8 years later with adjustments for sociodemographics, health behaviors, comorbidities, and anthropometric measures by taking into account probabilities of follow-up. Conclusion: Poor appetite and eating difficulties can predict falling in the long-term independent of anthropometric measurements among middle-aged and older adults.