Muscle strength and bone mineral density in well-nourished and malnourished elderly

作者：Coelho Vilaca Karla Helena; Ferriolli Eduardo; da Costa Lima Nereida Kilza; Albuquerque de Paula Francisco Jose; Marchini Julio Sergio; Moriguti Julio Cesar

来源：Revista de Nutricao-Brazilian Journal of Nutrition, 2011, 24(6): 845-852.

• Body composition
• Malnutrition
• Aging
• Muscle strength
• Aged
• Body weight

Objective
The present study investigated the possible association of nutritional status with handgrip strength and bone mineral density in elderly men.
Methods
The study included 41 elderly males of which 20 were well-nourished (weight: M=69.6, SD=8.4kg; BMI: M=25.7, SD=2.2) and 21 were malnourished (weight: M=50.9, SD=6.1kg; BMI: M=18.7, SD=1.8). They were subjectivity classified by the Mini Nutritional Assessment. Anthropometric measurements included weight, height and arm and calf circumferences. Body composition was determined by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and presence of osteoporosis was determined according to the World Health Organization's criteria. Muscle strength was assessed by a handheld dynamometer.
Results
The malnourished group presented significantly lower anthropometric and body composition measurements than the well-nourished group (p<0.005). Furthermore, the occurrence of osteoporosis was significantly higher (p<0.01) among malnourished individuals in all studied body areas: femoral neck, total hip and spine. The handgrip strength of malnourished individuals was significantly lower than that of well-nourished individuals (M=23.1, SD=6.8 and M=30.3, SD=8.4, respectively; p<0.005).
Conclusion
Malnutrition is associated with lower muscle strength and low bone mineral density in elderly men.