The finger-ring test as an indicator of muscle mass estimated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in an adult community-dwelling population.

Introduction: The finger-ring test (FRT) offers a simple method to screen older adults at increased risk of sarcopenia.

Objective: To investigate the association between the FRT and lean soft tissue mass estimated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and to further elucidate the FRT as an indicator of muscle mass, while accounting for potential confounders, in a community-dwelling population.

Materials And Methods: Within this cross-sectional study 430 community-dwelling individuals aged 18 to 79 (286 women (66.

Hand Grip Force-Time Curve Indicators Evaluated by Dynamometer: A Systematic Review.

Background: Handgrip strength (HGS) is an indicator of muscular strength, used in the diagnosis of sarcopenia, undernutrition, and physical frailty as well as recovery. Typically, the maximum HGS value is used; however, recent evidence suggests the exploration of new indicators provided based on the force-time curve to achieve a more comprehensive assessment of muscle function. Therefore, the objective was to identify indicators of the HGS profile beyond maximum HGS, based on force-time curves, and to systematize knowledge about their applications to various types of samples, health issues, and physical performance.

Mini nutritional assessment-short form test: criterion and predictive validity in older adults from a long-term care unity.

Introduction: the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short-Form test (MNA-SF) is valid for malnutrition screening and diagnosis of older adults, but few studies evaluated if it predicts hospital length of stay (LOS) and were conducted in long-term care units. Objective: this study aims to evaluate the criterion and predictive validity of MNA-SF. Methods: a prospective observational study was conducted in older adults from a long-term care unity.

Urinary Sodium Excretion and Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Older Adults.

Despite the well-known benefits of the Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet), data on the sodium intake is scarce. This study aimed to quantify the association between sodium excretion and the adherence to the MedDiet in the elderly. A representative sample of 1500 Portuguese adults (≥65 years) was assessed (1321 were eligible for the present analysis).

Prediction equations for estimating body weight in older adults.

Background: Assessing body weight in older adults may be challenging. Hence, the present study aimed to develop and cross-validate updated and reproducible equations to estimate body weight in a large sample of older adults, namely among the older-old.

Methods: In total, 1456 individuals aged ≥ 65 years, from the Nutrition UP 65 study, were included in the present analysis.

Sitting time and associated factors among Portuguese older adults: results from Nutrition UP 65.

Older adults are particularly susceptible to sedentary behaviours. Sitting time has been increasingly referred to as a potentially modifiable risk factor in the prevention of chronic diseases. Identifying factors associated with sitting time, particularly those that are modifiable, will allow for more effective public health strategies.

Association Between Anthropometric Indicators of Nutrition Status and Length of Hospital Stay in Hospitalized Patients.

Background: Undernutrition is associated with increased hospital length of stay (LOS). Anthropometrics is required for undernutrition screening and diagnosis. However, the measurements which are more strongly associated with LOS are to be specified.

Adherence to a Mediterranean Dietary Pattern status and associated factors among Portuguese older adults: Results from the Nutrition UP 65 cross-sectional study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern (MDP) and its associated factors in older Portuguese adults.

Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was designed. In the context of the Nutrition UP 65 study, a national cluster sample of 1407 Portuguese individuals ≥65 y of age was analyzed.

Sodium and potassium urinary excretion and their ratio in the elderly: results from the Nutrition UP 65 study.

Background: We aimed to describe urinary sodium and potassium excretion and their ratio in a representative sample of Portuguese elderly population, according to sociodemographic characteristics and weight status.

Methods: A cluster sampling approach was used, representing older Portuguese adults (≥65 years) according to age, sex, education level, and regional area within the Nutrition UP 65 study. This cross-sectional evaluation was conducted in 2015 and 2016.

A Cross-Sectional Study on the Association between 24-h Urine Osmolality and Weight Status in Older Adults.

Data on the association between hydration and body weight in the elderly are scarce. The objective of this work was to quantify the association between 24-h urine osmolality and weight status in the elderly. A cross-sectional study was conducted within the Nutrition UP 65 study.

Association between serum 25-hidroxyvitamin D concentrations and ultraviolet index in Portuguese older adults: a cross-sectional study.

Background: The older population is a risk group for hypovitaminosis D. The Ultraviolet Index (UVI) can be an indicator of potential for cutaneous synthesis of vitamin D but physiological and other environmental factors also influence vitamin D synthesis and status. Knowledge about vitamin D status in Portuguese older adults is limited.

Vitamin D status and associated factors among Portuguese older adults: results from the Nutrition UP 65 cross-sectional study.

Objectives: To evaluate vitamin D status and its associated factors in Portuguese older adults from the Nutrition UP 65 study.

Design: Cross-sectional observational study.

Participants And Methods: Nationwide cluster sample of 1500 Portuguese subjects ≥65 years old.

Comparison of Jamar and Bodygrip Dynamometers for Handgrip Strength Measurement.

Guerra, RS, Amaral, TF, Sousa, AS, Fonseca, I, Pichel, F, and Restivo, MT. Comparison of Jamar and Bodygrip dynamometers for handgrip strength measurement. J Strength Cond Res 31(7): 1931-1940, 2017-Studies that compared the agreement between Jamar and other models of dynamometers for handgrip strength (HGS) measurement have exhibited variability in the provided results.

ESPEN diagnostic criteria for malnutrition - A validation study in hospitalized patients.

Background & Aims: The European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) released a consensus statement for undernutrition diagnosis: ESPEN diagnostic criteria for malnutrition (EDC). The EDC lacks validation and therefore, the present study aims to assess the concurrent and predictive validity of this tool in a cohort of inpatients.

Methods: A prospective observational study took place in a university hospital.

Nutritional Strategies Facing an Older Demographic: The Nutrition UP 65 Study Protocol.

Background: The population of Portugal is aging. The lack of data on older adults' nutritional status and the lack of nutrition knowledge amongst health professionals, caregivers, and older adults themselves, remains a challenge.

Objective: The Nutrition UP 65 study aims to reduce nutritional inequalities in the older Portuguese adult population and improve knowledge regarding older Portuguese adults' nutritional status, specifically relating to undernutrition, obesity, sarcopenia, frailty, hydration, sodium, and vitamin D statuses.

Usefulness of six diagnostic and screening measures for undernutrition in predicting length of hospital stay: a comparative analysis.

Background: Undernutrition has been associated with longer length of hospital stay (LOS). However, an analysis that investigates the association of recommended undernutrition diagnostic and screening indicators with LOS conducted in patients with a varied spectrum of pathologies and considering confounders would help to clarify their clinical value.

Objective: We aimed to quantify the association of being undernourished as evaluated by different methodologies with LOS and their validity in predicting inpatient LOS.

Sarcopenia among hospitalized patients - A cross-sectional study.

Background & Aims: Data on the prevalence of sarcopenia among hospitalized older patients are scarce and there is no available information on the burden of sarcopenia among younger patients. The present study aims to increase the knowledge about the frequency of sarcopenia among hospitalized patients and to evaluate the influence of different diagnostic criteria in these estimates.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in hospitalized adult patients.

Handgrip strength and associated factors in hospitalized patients.

Background: Handgrip strength (HGS) is a marker of nutrition status. Many factors are associated with HGS. Age, height, body mass index, number of diagnoses, and number and type of drugs have been shown to modify the association between undernutrition and HGS.

A digital calliper for training and study purposes.

A quick and valid method for evaluating percentage body fat is based on the use of skinfold callipers. However, limitations associated to their use and characteristics led the authors to improve a traditional calliper (Harpenden) and to integrate it with a software application. Such a measuring system, LipoTool, is meant to have better accuracy and reliability, including data processing and digital recording at a very low cost.

Accuracy of a digital skinfold system for measuring skinfold thickness and estimating body fat.

The use of skinfold thickness measurements to evaluate the distribution of subcutaneous adipose tissue and to predict body fat has recognised advantages. However, the different types of skinfold calliper available present limitations that make them unattractive and perhaps less used in daily practice. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the accuracy and functionality of a new digital skinfold system, the Liposoft 2008+Adipsmeter V0 (LA), for measuring skinfold thickness and determining body fat proportion (%BF).