Nutrition assistance improves skeletal muscle function and performance in community-dwelling older women / Assistência nutricional melhora o desempenho muscular esquelético de mulheres idosas residentes na comunidade

To analyze the effects of nutritional assistance focusing on protein intake (in the individual's usual diet) in relation to muscle mass, and the muscle strength and functional performance of community-dwelling older women. Methods: This is a non-randomized controlled clinical trial. Forty-three community-dwelling older women, who were allocated to the Control Group (CG; n = 20) or the Nutrition Group (NG; n = 23). The NG received individualized nutrition assistance and participated in group activities that focused on dietary protein intake once a week for 12 weeks. Main outcome measures: protein and energy intake; handgrip strength (HGS); gait speed (GS); quadriceps cross-sectional area (CSA); and intramuscular non-contractile tissue (IMNCT). The Student's t-test for independent samples, the Mann-Whitney U test, and a mixed model ANOVA with two factors (group and time) were adopted, followed by a post hoc Bonferroni test. A Spearman's correlation test was performed on tests for HGS; GS; CSA; IMNCT; age; and protein intake adjusted for weight (g/kg) (p ≤ 0.050). Results: Participants in the NG showed higher CSA values than those in the CG (p < 0.001). NG participants also had higher HGS (p < 0.001) and GS (p = 0.037) when compared to pre-intervention. Correlations were observed between IMNCT and protein intake adjusted for weight (g/kg) (r = -0.517; p = 0.020); HGS, and CSA (r = 0.827; p = 0.000); and CSA and age (r = -0.520, p = 0.009).

Analisar os efeitos da assistência nutricional com foco na ingestão proteica (na dieta habitual do indivíduo) em relação a massa muscular, força muscular e desempenho funcional de idosas de uma comunidade. Métodos: Trata-se um ensaio clínico controlado não randomizado. Quarenta e três idosas da comunidade foram alocadas no Grupo Controle (GC; n = 20) ou no Grupo Nutrição (GN; n = 23). O GN recebeu atendimento nutricional individualizado e participou de atividades grupais com foco na ingestão proteica da dieta uma vez por semana, durante 12 semanas. Principais medidas de resultado: ingestão de proteína e energia; força de preensão palmar (FPP); teste de velocidade da marcha (TVM); área de secção transversa do quadríceps (ASTq); e tecido intramuscular não contrátil (TIMNC). Utilizou-se o teste t de Student para amostras independentes, o teste U de Mann-Whitney e um modelo misto de análise de variância (ANOVA) com dois fatores (grupo e tempo), seguido de teste post hoc de Bonferroni. Um teste de correlação de Spearman foi realizado para FPP; TVM; ASTq; TIMNC; idade; e ingestão proteica ajustada para peso (g/kg) (p ≤ 0,050). Resultados: Os participantes do GN apresentaram valores de ASTq superiores aos do GC (p < 0,001). Os participantes do GN também exibiram maior FPP (p < 0,001) e GS (p = 0,037) quando comparados à pré-intervenção. Foram observadas correlações entre TIMNC e ingestão proteica ajustada para peso (g/kg) (r = -0,517; p = 0,020); HGS e ASTq (r = 0,827; p = 0,000); e ASTq e idade (r = -0,520, p = 0,009).

Association of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) with Food Security and Nutrition Status among Persons Living with HIV.

Aims: Nutritional status can be compromised by food insecurity which is common among HIV infected persons. Providing food assistance is expected to improve food insecurity and nutritional status among persons infected with HIV. This study aimed at examining the relationship of participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the largest food assistance program in the United States, with food security and nutritional status among HIV infected adults. Study Design: A cross-sectional study design was used in this study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in Miami, FL, USA, between April 2011 and August 2012. Methodology: We included 159 HIV infected individuals in this study, 113 participants were SNAP recipients while 46 were not. All study participants were, however, eligible to participate in SNAP. Each participant completed demographic and food security surveys as well as dietary and nutrition status assessment. Statistical analyses were conducted using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: More than half (56%) of the sample experienced food insecurity and had inadequate intakes of several nutrients. There were no significant differences in food security level and nutritional status between SNAP participants and eligible non-participants, even after controlling for demographic and health characteristics. Individuals with very low food security had 4.7 times increased odds (95% CI: 1.29-17.38) of illicit drugs use, which was prevalent (38%) among HIV+ SNAP participants in Miami. Drug users were more than twice likely to have inadequate intakes of vitamins B1, B2, B6, and zinc, compared to non-drug users.  Conclusion: Our results do not support an association between SNAP participation and food security or nutritional status in this cohort of HIV infected individuals with prevalent substance abuse. However, it demonstrates that food insecurity and inadequate nutrient intake continues to be prevalent among HIV infected adults and it is related to drug abuse. Resources need to be identified and targeted at addressing both food insecurity and poor nutritional outcomes among populations of HIV infected adults.