HEALTH NEWS

Study Title:

Weak Appetite as Mortality Predictor

Study Abstract

Objectives: To examine the association between dietary factors to daily activity energy expenditure (DAEE) and mortality among older adults. Design and setting: A sub-study of Health, Aging, and Body Composition study. Participants: 298 older participants (aged 70-82 years) in the Health, Aging, and Body Composition Energy Expenditure sub-study. Measurements: Dietary factors, DAEE, and all-cause mortality were measured in 298 older participants. Dietary factors include dietary intake assessed by the Block Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), Healthy Eating Index (HEI), and self-reported appetite and enjoyment of eating. DAEE was assessed using doubly labeled water. All-cause mortality was evaluated over a 9 year period. Results: Participants in the highest tertile of DAEE were more likely to be men and to report having a 'good' appetite; BMI among men, proportion married, IL-6 and CRP levels and energy intake were also higher. Fewer black participants were in the 'good' HEI category. Participants in the 'good' HEI category had higher cognitive scores and a higher education level. Participants who reported improvement in their appetite as well as participants who reported a 'good' appetite were at lower risk for mortality (HR (95% CI): 0.42 (0.24-0.74) and 0.50 (0.26-0.88), respectively) even after adjusting for DAEE, demographic, nutritional and health indices. Conclusions: We showed an association between DAEE and appetite and mortality among well-functioning, community-dwelling older adults. These findings may have some practical use for the health providers. Inclusion of a question regarding appetite of an elderly patient may provide important information regarding risk for health deterioration and mortality.

From press release:

A new study by a Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) researcher reveals a linkage between elderly people's appetite and mortality rates, with those who report impaired appetite more likely to die sooner.

The study, published in the May issue of the Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging, demonstrated a link between the Daily Activity Energy Expenditure (DAEE-- an accurate measurement of total physical activity), appetite and mortality among well functioning community-dwelling adults. Information on an elderly patient's eating habits may be important for health providers regarding risk for patient deterioration and mortality.

"These findings are important because they show how subjective appetite measurement can predict death, even when adjusting for health and many other variables," said Dr. Danit Shahar, a researcher with BGU's S. Daniel Abraham International Center for Health and Nutrition and Department of Epidemiology. "Past studies failed to show an association with survival. It was thought that decreased appetite may be an indicator or a result to other health problems, and that malnutrition, rather than low appetite was associated with mortality."

"Dietary Factors in Relation to Daily Activity Energy Expenditure and Mortality among Older Adults" analyzes data from the Health, Aging and Body Composition (Health ABC) study to demonstrate that higher DAEE is strongly associated with increased appetite, resulting in lower risk of mortality in healthy older adults. Using 298 older participants (ages 70-82 years) in the Health ABC study, researchers analyzed DAEE and dietary factors, including self-reported appetite, enjoyment of eating and intake assessed by the Block Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and Healthy Eating Index (HEI).

Participants who reported improved appetite were at lower risk for mortality. Similarly, participants who reported good appetite at baseline had a low risk for mortality. The results remained significant taking into account health status, physical activity, demographic and nutritional indices. Follow up was nine years

Study Information

Shahar DR, Yu B, Houston DK, Kritchevsky SB, Lee JS, Rubin SM, Sellmeyer DE, Tylavsky FA, Harris TB.
Dietary Factors in Relation to Daily Activity Energy Expenditure and Mortality among Older Adults.
J. Nutr Health Aging.
2009 May
Ben-Gurion University