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Dietary Inflammatory Index, Pre-Frailty and Frailty Among Older US Adults: Evidence from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007–2014

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The journal of nutrition, health & aging

Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the association between dietary inflammation, pre-frailty and frailty among older US adults. Additionally, effect modification of gender on the association between dietary inflammation and frailty was assessed.

Design

Study data came from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2007-2014)–a nationally representative, cross-sectional study of adults.

Participants

The analytic sample included adults ≥60 years (n=7,182).

Measurements

Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII®) scores were calculated from 24-hour dietary recalls; DII was categorized into quintiles from Quintile 1 (Q1) (least inflammatory) to Q5 (most inflammatory). Frailty was assessed by four criteria: exhaustion, weakness, low body mass, and low physical activity. Individuals were then categorized into robust (0 criteria), pre-frail (1-2 criteria), or frail (3-4 criteria). Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine the odds of frailty categories (prefrail vs. robust; frail vs. robust).

Results

After adjusting for potential confounders, individuals in DII quintile 5 (vs Q1) were more likely to be pre-frail (OR = 1.71; 95% CI: 1.36-2.15) and frail (OR = 1.70; 95% CI: 1.02- 2.85). Individuals in Q4 had greater odds of frailty only (OR = 1.82; 95% CI: 1.13, 2.93). No evidence of effect modification by gender on the association of DII and frailty was found.

Conclusion

This study expands upon previous evidence of a relationship between dietary inflammation and frailty. When designing nutrition-based frailty interventions, inflammatory properties of diets should be considered.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of South Carolina, Arnold School of Public Health, Columbia, SC, USA

    Nicholas V. Resciniti, M. C. Lohman, M. D. Wirth, N. Shivappa & J. R. Hebert

  2. Cancer Prevention and Control Program, University of South Carolina, 915 Greene Street, Suite 200, Columbia, SC, USA

    M. D. Wirth, N. Shivappa & J. R. Hebert

  3. Connecting Health Innovations, LLC, 1417 Gregg Street, Columbia, SC, USA

    M. D. Wirth, N. Shivappa & J. R. Hebert

  4. College of Nursing, University of South Carolina, 915 Greene Street, Suite 200, Columbia, USA

    M. D. Wirth

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  1. Nicholas V. Resciniti
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  2. M. C. Lohman
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Correspondence to Nicholas V. Resciniti.

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Resciniti, N.V., Lohman, M.C., Wirth, M.D. et al. Dietary Inflammatory Index, Pre-Frailty and Frailty Among Older US Adults: Evidence from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007–2014. J Nutr Health Aging 23, 323–329 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-019-1164-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-019-1164-3

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