OBJECTIVE: The present study investigated the possible association of nutritional status with handgrip strength and bone mineral density in elderly men. METHOODS: The study included 41 elderly males of which 20 were well-nourished (weight: M=69.6, SD=8.4kg; BMI: M=25.7, SD=2.2) and 21 were malnourished (weight: M=50.9, SD=6.1kg; BMI: M=18.7, SD=1.8). They were subjectivity classified by the Mini Nutritional Assessment. Anthropometric measurements included weight, height and arm and calf circumferences. Body composition was determined by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and presence of osteoporosis was determined according to the World Health Organization's criteria. Muscle strength was assessed by a handheld dynamometer. RESULTS: The malnourished group presented significantly lower anthropometric and body composition measurements than the well-nourished group (p<0.005). Furthermore, the occurrence of osteoporosis was significantly higher (p<0.01) among malnourished individuals in all studied body areas: femoral neck, total hip and spine. The handgrip strength of malnourished individuals was significantly lower than that of well-nourished individuals (M=23.1, SD=6.8 and M=30.3, SD=8.4, respectively; p<0.005). CONCLUSION: Malnutrition is associated with lower muscle strength and low bone mineral density in elderly men.
Body composition; Malnutrition; Aging; Muscle strength.; Aged. Body weight.
