Dietary intake of total protein, animal- and plant-based protein is associated with a lower likelihood of having sarcopenic obesity in 14 816 middle- and older-aged men and women of the European Prospective Investigation of Cancer (EPIC)-Norfolk cohort.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the association between the amount and source of dietary protein and the prevalence of sarcopenic obesity.

DESIGN

A prospective study using data from the European Prospective Investigation of Cancer (EPIC)-Norfolk cohort study.

SETTING

General population-based study conducted in the United Kingdom.

PARTICIPANTS

About 14 816 community dwelling men and women aged 39-79 years.

RESULTS

The prevalence of sarcopenic obesity was 8·9 % in men and 11·9 % in women. Median dietary intake of total, animal and plant protein intake, based on fat free mass standardised for BMI to assess sarcopenia, was significantly lower in those with sarcopenic obesity compared with those without sarcopenia and obesity (0·80 v. 1·04, 0·51 v. 0·66, and 0·25 v. 0·35 g/kg body weight/d, respectively, all P < 0·001). Higher intakes of protein, either total, animal or plant-based (in g/kg body weight/d), were associated with a significantly lower likelihood of sarcopenic obesity (OR 0·14 (95 % CI: 0·08, 0·20), 0·58 (0·53, 0·62) and 0·46 (0·41, 0·52), respectively, P < 0·001 for all). The prevalence of both sarcopenic obesity and obesity was significantly (P < 0·001) higher in those with lowest compared with those in the highest intake quartiles of total- animal- and plant protein, but the prevalence of sarcopenia did not appear to depend on protein intake.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that consumption of total, animal- and plant-based protein is important for both the prevention of sarcopenic obesity and obesity during ageing, especially in women, smokers or those living with comorbidities such as diabetes and bronchitis.