Protein intake, distribution, and sources in community-dwelling older adults living in Auckland, New Zealand

BACKGROUND: To maximally stimulate muscle protein synthesis (MPS), older adults should consume≥1.2 g/kg body weight (BW) of high-quality protein, evenly distributed across the day ( 0.4 BW per meal). OBJECTIVES: investigate intake, distribution, and sources in community-dwelling adults. METHODS: Data (including a 4-day food record) were obtained from Researching Eating, Activity, Cognitive Health (REACH) study, cross-sectional study aged 65 to 74 years. RESULTS: Participants (n = 327, 65.4% female) had median daily intake 1.16 (males) 1.09 (females). Over half participants consumed less than 1.2 g protein/kg BW/day (62% females, 57% males). Protein was unevenly throughout (CV 0.48 for males females) inadequate reaching BW/meal at breakfast mid-day meal (males only). The main milk (28%), cereals (22%), bread (12%); meal, (18%), cheese (10%) (9%); evening meat provided over (56%). CONCLUSIONS: high proportion BW/day, through day. mainly dairy products meal.