Abstract
Background
Changes in the body composition of the elderly can be quickly identified by health professionals in primary care, reducing the impact on health, nutritional status, and functional capacity.
Objective
To look for links between muscle mass and strength, nutritional status, and functional capacity in community-dwelling elderly.
Method
A cross-sectional study involving 323 elderly people was carried out. Body composition assessment was performed by absorptiometry (DEXA) and anthropometry. Functional capacity was assessed by Instrumental Activities of Daily Living and by gait speed (VM) and Time Up and Go (TUG).
Results
In this sample, the lean mass index (LMI) was associated with indicators of nutritional status (BMI, NC, and WC), in addition to having shown an important correlation with handgrip strength (HGS). HGS was associated with VM and TUG. Regression analysis identified an association between BMI and LMI (p < 0.001) and between GS and HGS (p = 0.003).
Conclusion
HGS was an important indicator of functional capacity and correlated with LMI. Consequently, the LMI is associated with indicators of nutritional status. Therefore, when it is impossible to assess the LMI, we recommend the assessment of HGS, NC and BMI as predictors of compromised nutritional status and functional disability in the elderly.
Keywords:
elderly; nutritional status; functional capacity