Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

What is the relationship between physical fitness level and macro- and micronutrient intake in Spanish older adults?

  • Original Contribution
  • Published:
European Journal of Nutrition Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to assess the association between physical fitness (PF) and energy and nutrient intake in Spanish older adults.

Methods

Three hundred and twenty-four participants (59.9% females, aged over 55 years) performed a battery of four validated PF tests and participants were divided into three: low, medium, and high PF. Dietary intake was assessed by two non-consecutive 24 h dietary recalls. Energy and nutrient intake was calculated using the ALIMENTA software. Energy expenditure (EE) was calculated using a validated questionnaire.

Results

Median energy intake (EI) was 2135, 1999, and 2111 kcal/day in the low, medium, and high PF in males, respectively. In females, the median EI was 1576, 1564, and 1625 kcal/day in the low, medium, and high PF groups. There were significant and positive associations between participants in the high PF group and intake of phosphorous, selenium, vitamin B6, C, D, E, niacin, and folates (all p < 0.05). However, subjects in the high PF group presented negative associations with thiamine and riboflavin intake (all p < 0.05). A total of 8.3% of participants presented inadequate intake of 11 micronutrients. PF seems to affect total nutrient intake.

Conclusions

Higher protein and fat intake was observed in the high PF group compared to the other PF groups in males, although participants in the high PF group had also higher EE. However, females presented different patterns. In both sexes participants in the high PF group showed a better micronutrient intake profile than the other PF groups. There is a need to develop combined nutritional and fitness programs.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Gil A, Martinez de Victoria E, Olza J (2015) Indicators for the evaluation of diet quality. Nutr Hosp 31(Suppl 3):128–144

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Camoes M, Lopes C (2008) Dietary intake and different types of physical activity: full-day energy expenditure, occupational and leisure-time. Public Health Nutr 11(8):841–848

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Strandberg TE, Levälahti E, Ngandu T, Solomon A, Kivipelto M, FINGER Study Group (2017) Health-related quality of life in a multidomain intervention trial to prevent cognitive decline. Eur Geriatr Med 8:164–167

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Robinson F (2003) Nutrition for healthy ageing. British Nutrition Foundation, London

    Google Scholar 

  5. Montgomery SC, Streit SM, Beebe ML, Maxwell PJ (2014) Micronutrient needs of the elderly. Nutr Clin Pract 29(4):435–444

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Gonzalez-Gross M, Sola R, Albers U et al (2007) B-vitamins and homocysteine in Spanish institutionalized elderly. Int J Vitam Nutr Res 77(1):22–33

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Manini TM (2010) Energy expenditure and aging. Ageing Res Rev 9(1):1–11

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Westerterp KR (2015) Daily physical activity as determined by age, body mass and energy balance. Eur J Appl Physiol 115(6):1177–1184

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  9. Rolland Y, Pillard F, Garrigue E, Amouyal K, Riviere D, Vellas B (2005) Nutritional intake and recreational physical activity in healthy elderly women living in the community. J Nutr Health Aging 9(6):397–402

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Schroder H, Marrugat J, Covas M et al (2004) Population dietary habits and physical activity modification with age. Eur J Clin Nutr 58(2):302–311

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Ahmed T, Haboubi N (2010) Assessment and management of nutrition in older people and its importance to health. Clin Interv Aging 5:207–216

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  12. Favaro-Moreira NC, Krausch-Hofmann S, Matthys C et al (2016) Risk factors for malnutrition in older adults: a systematic review of the literature based on longitudinal data. Adv Nutr 7(3):507–522

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  13. Deer RR, Volpi E (2015) Protein intake and muscle function in older adults. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care 18(3):248–253

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  14. Rohrig G, Rucker Y, Becker I et al (2016) Association of anemia with functional and nutritional status in the German multicenter study “GeriAnaemie2013”. Z Gerontol Geriatr 50(6):532–537

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. França TGD, Ishikawa LLW, Zorzella-Pezavento SFG, Chiuso-Minicucci F, da Cunha MLRS., Sartori A (2009) Impact of malnutrition on immunity and infection. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 15(3):374–390

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Blair SN, Kohl HW, Paffenbarger RS, Clark DG, Cooper KH, Gibbons LW (1989) Physical fitness and all-cause mortality. A prospective study of healthy men and women. JAMA 262(17):2395–2401

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Pedrero-Chamizo R, Gomez-Cabello A, Delgado S et al (2012) Physical fitness levels among independent non-institutionalized Spanish elderly: the elderly EXERNET multi-center study. Arch Gerontol Geriatr 55(2):406–416

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Mertens E, Clarys P, Mullie P et al. (2016) Stability of physical activity, fitness components and diet quality indices. Eur J Clin Nutr 71(4):519–524

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Hammar M, Ostgren CJ (2013) Healthy aging and age-adjusted nutrition and physical fitness. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol 27(5):741–752

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Martinez Roldan C, Veiga Herreros P, Cobo Sanz JM, Carbajal Azcona A (2011) Assessment of the nutritional status of a group of people older than 50 years by means of dietary and body composition parameters. Nutr Hosp 26(5):1081–1090

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Serra-Majem L, Ribas-Barba L, Salvador G et al (2007) Trends in energy and nutrient intake and risk of inadequate intakes in Catalonia, Spain (1992–2003). Public Health Nutr 10(11A):1354–1367

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Black AE (2000) Critical evaluation of energy intake using the Goldberg cut-off for energy intake:basal metabolic rate. A practical guide to its calculation, use and limitations. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 24(9):1119–1130

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Elosua R, Marrugat J, Molina L, Pons S, Pujol E (1994) Validation of the minnesota leisure time physical activity questionnaire in Spanish men. The MARATHOM investigators. Am J Epidemiol 15(12):1197–1209 139(

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Elosua R, Garcia M, Aguilar A, Molina L, Covas MI, Marrugat J (2000) Validation of the minnesota leisure time physical activity questionnaire in Spanish women. Investigators of the MARATDON Group. Med Sci Sports Exerc 32(8):1431–1437

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Ainsworth BE, Haskell WL, Whitt MC et al (2000) Compendium of physical activities: an update of activity codes and MET intensities. Med Sci Sports Exerc 32(9 Suppl):S498–S504

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Rikli R, Jones CJ (2001) Senior fitness test manual. Human Kinetics, Illinois

    Google Scholar 

  27. VV.AA (1998) Eurofit para adultos: evaluación de la aptitud física en relación con la salud. Primera ed. CSD, Madrid

    Google Scholar 

  28. Marfell-Jones M, Olds T, Stewart A et al (2006) International standards for anthropometric assessment. ISAK. South Africa

  29. Gómez-Candela C, Loria-Kohen V, Lourenço-nogueira T (2007) Guía visual de alimentos y raciones. Editores Médicos, Madrid

    Google Scholar 

  30. Mataix J, Mañas M, Llopis J, Martínez de Victoria E, Juan J, Borregón A (2004) Tablas de composición de alimentos españoles, 4th edn. INTA-Universidad de Granada: Granada, ed. Granada

    Google Scholar 

  31. Ortega RM, López AM, Requejo AM, Carvajales PA (2004) La composición de los alimentos. Herramienta básica para lavaloración nutricional. Editorial Complutense, Madrid

    Google Scholar 

  32. Feinberg M, Favier JC, Ireland-Ripert J (1995) Répertoire general des aliments. Tec&Doc Lavoisier, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  33. Ripoll L (1992) La cocina de las Islas Baleares, 5th edn. Ripoll Pub, Palma de Mallorca

    Google Scholar 

  34. Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference intakes. Washington, National Academies Press, update November 2010. https://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/dri-tables-and-application-reports. Accessed 10 Oct 2016

  35. Brodney S, Mcpherson RS, Carpenter RS, Welten D, Blair SN (2001) Nutrient intake of physically fit and unfit men and women. Med Sci Sports Exerc 33(3):459–467

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Cao ZB, Sasaki A, Oh T et al (2012) Association between dietary intake of micronutrients and cardiorespiratory fitness in Japanese men. J Nutr Sci 1:e12

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  37. Lee IM, Djousse L, Sesso HD, Wang L, Buring JE (2010) Physical activity and weight gain prevention. JAMA 303(12):1173–1179

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  38. Roman Vinas B, Ribas Barba L, Ngo J et al (2011) Projected prevalence of inadequate nutrient intakes in Europe. Ann Nutr Metab 59(2–4):84–95

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Fisberg RM, Marchioni DM, Castro MA et al (2013) Inadequate nutrient intake among the Brazilian elderly: National Dietary Survey 2008–2009. Rev Saude Publica 47(Suppl 1):222S–230S

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Lal A, Ames BN (2011) Association of chromosome damage detected as micronuclei with hematological diseases and micronutrient status. Mutagenesis 26(1):57–62

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  41. Shikany JM, Jacobs DR, Lewis CE et al (2013) Associations between food groups, dietary patterns, and cardiorespiratory fitness in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study. Am J Clin Nutr 98(6):1402–1409

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  42. Patino-Alonso MC, Recio-Rodriguez JI, Belio JF et al (2014) Factors associated with adherence to the Mediterranean diet in the adult population. J Acad Nutr Diet 114(4):583–589

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Ruiz E, Avila JM, Valero T et al (2016) Macronutrient distribution and dietary sources in the Spanish population: findings from the ANIBES study. Nutrients 8(3):177

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  44. Salvador Castell G, Serra-Majem L, Ribas-Barba L (2015) What and how much do we eat? 24-hour dietary recall method. Nutr Hosp 26(31 Suppl 3):46–48

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to all of the participants who took part in the PHYSMED study and to all the researchers who set up the data for further analysis. Special thanks to Ms. Raquel Seco for technical assistance and Laura Barrios for her statistical assistance. ImFINE and NUCOX are members of the EXERNET research network (http://www.spanishexernet.com/). Raquel Aparicio-Ugarriza was supported with a predoctoral grant from the Technical University of Madrid.

Funding

The PHYSMED study took place with the financial support of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Projects 11/01791 and 14/00636, Red Predimed-RETIC RD06/0045/1004, and CIBEROBN CB12/03/30038). Grant of support to research groups no. 35/2011 (Balearic Islands Gov.), and European Union FEDER funds. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. ImFINE Research Group, Department of Health and Human Performance, Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Science-INEF, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain

    R. Aparicio-Ugarriza, R. Luzardo-Socorro, G. Palacios & Marcela González-Gross

  2. CIBEROBN (Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition CB12/03/30038), Madrid, Spain

    G. Palacios, M. M. Bibiloni, E. Argelich, J. A. Tur & Marcela González-Gross

  3. Research Group on Community Nutrition and Oxidative Stress (NUCOX), University of Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain

    M. M. Bibiloni, E. Argelich & J. A. Tur

Authors
  1. R. Aparicio-Ugarriza
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. R. Luzardo-Socorro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. G. Palacios
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. M. M. Bibiloni
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. E. Argelich
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. J. A. Tur
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Marcela González-Gross
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

RAU, GP, and MGG analyzed the data, and drafted and wrote the manuscript. RLS, MB, EA, and JAT contributed to the analysis. MGG and JAT designed the study and wrote the protocol. All read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marcela González-Gross.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors do not declare any conflict of interest.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary material 1 (DOCX 39 KB)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Aparicio-Ugarriza, R., Luzardo-Socorro, R., Palacios, G. et al. What is the relationship between physical fitness level and macro- and micronutrient intake in Spanish older adults?. Eur J Nutr 58, 1579–1590 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-018-1696-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-018-1696-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation