PP044 - EVALUATION OF DIETARY HABITS AND SWALLOWING DIFFICULTIES IN GERIATRIC INDIVIDUALS WITH AND WITHOUT SARCOPENIA

PP044

EVALUATION OF DIETARY HABITS AND SWALLOWING DIFFICULTIES IN GERIATRIC INDIVIDUALS WITH AND WITHOUT SARCOPENIA

M. E. Kartal¹, C. Süt Kurt¹, Ö. Baran¹, D. Birgul^1,*, A. Dağ¹, S. Yücecan¹, A. G. Pekcan¹

¹Nutrition and Dietetics, Lokman Hekim University, Ankara, Türkiye

Rationale: Sarcopenia in geriatric individuals is closely associated with nutritional status. This study was designed to evaluate the relationship between the presence of sarcopenia and dietary habits as well as swallowing difficulties in older adults.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included a total of 1,668 geriatric individuals. Sarcopenia status was assessed using the SARC-F questionnaire, and participants were classified as having sarcopenia (score ≥4) or not (score <4). Dietary habits and swallowing status were collected through face-to-face interviews using a questionnaire.

Results: Sarcopenia was identified in 18.7% of the participants. The prevalence of sarcopenia was significantly higher in the older age group (75–89 years) (p<0.001). Regarding dietary habits, 31.7% of individuals with sarcopenia reported regular consumption of main meals, compared to 30.6% of those without sarcopenia (p>0.05). Lunch was the most frequently skipped main meal in both groups (61.5% and 62.1%, respectively; p>0.05). Snack consumption was reported by 79.8% of individuals with sarcopenia and 80.7% of those without (p>0.05). The percentage of individuals reporting a “good” appetite was 49.0% in the sarcopenia group and 65.3% in the non-sarcopenia group (p<0.001). When social eating behaviors were examined, eating alone was more common in the sarcopenia group (p=0.001). Furthermore, 40.1% of individuals with sarcopenia reported experiencing swallowing difficulties, whereas this rate was 12.9% among those without sarcopenia (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Significant differences were observed between groups, particularly in appetite status, social eating behaviors, and swallowing difficulties. In the prevention and management of sarcopenia in geriatric individuals, not only dietary habits but also swallowing function should be taken into consideration.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared