31st May 2018 by Ilenia Gheno

Hanneke A.H. Wijnhoven, Liset E.M. Elstgeest, Henrica C.W de Vet, Mary Nicolaou, Marieke B. Snijder, Marjolein Visser, May 2018

 

In order to preserve muscle mass and physical function, it is important to consume a sufficient amount of protein with food. However, research shows that around 50% of adults aged 65 years and older consume less than 1.0 gram/kg body weight of protein per day.

The practical question is how to calculate if you fall in this case?

PROMISS researchers set up a short food questionnaire, named the Protein Screener 55+ or Pro⁵⁵⁺ to provide you with the probability for low protein intake in community-dwelling older people.

The Pro⁵⁵⁺ finally consists of questions on weight and height, and the consumption (amount on average day or frequency in 4 weeks) of: slices of bread (number); glasses of milk (number); meat with warm meal (portion size); cheese (amount and frequency); dairy products (like yoghurt) (frequency); egg(s) (frequency); pasta/noodles (frequency); fish (frequency); and nuts/peanuts (frequency).

Validation tests proved that the Pro⁵⁵⁺performs well in discrimination persons with a low and high protein intake.

Our conclusion is that the Pro⁵⁵⁺ can be used to validly screen for protein intake below 1.0 gram/kg body weight of protein per day in community-dwelling older adults.

Available in English, its online version can be found at www.proteinscreener.nl.

PROMISS encourages such tool to be up-taken and used in other countries, and in other languages as well.

 

Publication in: PLOS ONE, May 23, 2018, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0196406