The effect of diet quality and phytonutrient intake on quality of life, frailty syndrome and metablic syndrome in the elderly

During old age, various physiological, psychological and metabolic changes occur and the risk of contracting chronic diseases increases. Frailty syndrome in the elderly is a complex condition characterized by decreased muscle mass, decreased bone strength and social isolation. Additionally, various nutritional problems arise with increasing age. In addition to nutritional problems, phytonutrient intakes of the elderly are generally at low levels in our country, depending on the culture. This situation increases the prevalence of the disease. However, many factors affect the quality of life of elderly individuals, such as their detachment from social life. This study aimed to determine the relationship between frailty syndrome, metabolic syndrome (MetS), diet quality, phytonutrient intake and quality of life in elderly individuals. All individuals over the age of 65 who applied to a private living center in Karaman between June-2022 and November-2022 and agreed to participate in the study voluntarily were included in this study. A total of 94 people, 34 men and 60 women, participated in the study. The diet quality of these people was determined with the Healthy Eating Index-2010 (SYI-2010), their phytonutrient intake was evaluated with the phytonutrient intake assessment scale, their quality of life scores were calculated with the World Health Organization Quality of Life for the Elderly module (WHOQOLD), osteoporotic fracture study index (SOF Index). Fragility levels were determined with . In addition, the individuals' biochemical parameters, blood pressure and anthropometric measurements (height, weight, waist circumference and hip circumference) taken from their files and whether they had metabolic syndrome according to ATP-III criteria were determined. As a result, metabolic syndrome was detected in 53.2% of elderly individuals. In addition, according to the SOF Index, 62.7% of elderly individuals were found to be pre-frail and 6.52% were frail. Metabolic syndrome was found in 66.7% of fragile individuals, 55.9% of pre-frail individuals, and 44.8% of healthy individuals. It was determined that 49% of elderly individuals had poor diet quality, 51% had diet quality that needed improvement, and 94.7% had low levels of phytonutrients. However, it was observed that 91.5% of pre-frail individuals and all fragile individuals received low levels of phytonutrients. It was determined that the total quality of life score and frailty syndrome were inversely related (p<0.05). As a result, frailty syndrome in elderly individuals; It has been associated with being physically inactive, metabolic syndrome, poor diet quality, low phytonutrient intake and poor quality of life. For this reason, fragility monitoring of elderly individuals and nutritional status can be monitored to prevent fragility, increasing physical activity can be prevented and thus social life adaptation can be increased.