Novel Anthropometric Indices and Probability of Adequate Nutrient Intake in the Older Polish Population.

Older adults, particularly those over 75 years old, are at elevated risk of inadequate micronutrient intake for essential nutrients including calcium, magnesium, folate, and vitamin D.

• Data were drawn from 1504 community-dwelling older adults with mean age 74.4 ± 10.8 years in Poland
• Participants were drawn from the PolSenior project
• The risk was especially pronounced for calcium, magnesium, folate, and vitamin D
• The study population consisted of community-dwelling older adults, not institutionalized individuals

Cluster analysis identified three distinct participant profiles differing significantly in BRI, age, and adequacy of energy and micronutrient intake.

• K-means cluster analysis was applied to standardized variables including BRI, age, energy intake, and micronutrient adequacy
• Cluster 1 comprised n = 495 participants (33% of sample)
• Cluster 2 comprised n = 557 participants (37% of sample)
• Cluster 3 comprised n = 452 participants (30% of sample)
• The three clusters were described as differing 'significantly' in BRI, age, and dietary adequacy measures

Cluster 1 represented the oldest participants with the lowest BRI and insufficient energy and micronutrient intake, indicating a high risk of undernutrition.

• Cluster 1 contained 495 participants (33% of the total sample)
• These participants were characterized as the oldest subgroup in the analysis
• They exhibited the lowest BRI values among the three clusters
• Both energy intake and micronutrient intake were described as insufficient, indicating undernutrition risk

Cluster 2 represented participants of average age with moderate BRI and the highest energy and micronutrient intake, suggesting a potentially excessive energy balance.

• Cluster 2 contained 557 participants (37% of the total sample), the largest cluster
• Participants had average age relative to the full sample
• BRI values were moderate compared to the other clusters
• This cluster had the highest energy and micronutrient intake among the three clusters
• The dietary pattern was described as suggesting 'a potentially excessive energy balance'

Cluster 3 represented the youngest participants with the highest BRI and the lowest energy and micronutrient intake, indicating early-onset central adiposity and poor dietary quality.

• Cluster 3 contained 452 participants (30% of the total sample)
• These participants were the youngest subgroup among the three clusters
• They exhibited the highest BRI values, reflecting the greatest degree of central adiposity
• Despite highest BRI, this group had the lowest energy and micronutrient intake
• The pattern was described as indicating 'early-onset central adiposity and poor dietary quality'

The Body Roundness Index (BRI) is an emerging anthropometric measure reflecting central adiposity that was evaluated for its utility in distinguishing nutritional risk profiles in ageing populations.

• BRI was used alongside age, energy intake, and micronutrient adequacy as the four standardized variables in the cluster analysis
• BRI was described as 'particularly relevant in ageing populations where body composition and nutritional status undergo significant changes'
• The study found that a low BRI may indicate undernutrition risk in advanced age, while a higher BRI with low nutrient adequacy suggests poor diet quality