Number of Meals With Adequate Protein Intake and Functionality in Middle to Older Aged Mexican Adults

Dietary protein intake per meal was assessed with 24-h dietary recalls to determine the number of meals with adequate protein intake (>30 g, >0.4 g/kg). Functionality was assessed with self-reported questionnaires about daily living activities (Barthel), and instrumental activities of daily living (Lawton). Subjects were categorized according the number of meals with adequate protein intake (zero meals, one meal, two or three meals), and their functionality score for both questionnaires (high, middle, and low scores).

With multinomial logistic regression, the investigators assessed if consuming zero or one meal with adequate protein intake could be associated with lower functionality in comparison with consuming two or three meals with enough protein. The logistic regression was adjusted for covariables (age, sex, BMI categories for the elderly, number of diagnosed diseases, inadequate protein intake per day [<1.2 g/kg/d]).