Hiol ANVon Hurst PRConlon CAMumme KDBeck KL2024-06-172024-06-172023-10-13Hiol AN, Von Hurst PR, Conlon CA, Mumme KD, Beck KL. (2023). Protein intake, distribution, and sources in community-dwelling older adults living in Auckland, New Zealand. Nutrition and Healthy Aging. 8. 1. (pp. 171-181).2451-9480https://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/69878BACKGROUND: 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 g/kg BW per meal). OBJECTIVES: To investigate protein intake, distribution, and sources in community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: Data (including a 4-day food record) were obtained from the Researching Eating, Activity, and Cognitive Health (REACH) study, a cross-sectional study in adults aged 65 to 74 years. RESULTS: Participants (n = 327, 65.4% female) had a median daily protein intake of 1.16 g/kg BW (males) and 1.09 g/kg BW (females). Over half of participants consumed less than 1.2 g protein/kg BW/day (62% females, 57% males). Protein intake was unevenly distributed throughout the day (CV = 0.48 for males and females) and was inadequate for reaching 0.4 g/kg BW/meal at breakfast and at the mid-day meal (males only). The main sources of protein at breakfast were milk (28%), breakfast cereals (22%), and bread (12%); at the mid-day meal, bread (18%), cheese (10%) and milk (9%); and at the evening meal, meat provided over half the protein (56%). CONCLUSIONS: Protein intake for a high proportion of older adults was less than 1.2 g/kg BW/day, and unevenly distributed through the day. Protein was obtained mainly from cereals and dairy products at breakfast and the mid-day meal, and meat sources at the evening meal.(c) 2023 The Author/sCC BY-NC 4.0https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/Journal article10.3233/NHA-2201762451-9502journal-article171-181