Adequate protein intake in at least one meal is associated with higher appendicular muscle mass index in women: a cross-sectional study

To verify whether the intake of at least one meal containing 20 g of protein is associated with higher odds to present adequate appendicular muscle mass index (AMMI) in women. A cross-sectional study was performed with 142 women (35 young and 107 postmenopausal), aged between 19 and 81 years. Dietary intake was evaluated by three 24-h food recalls following the 5-step multiple pass method. Lean mass was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and AMMI was calculated by the appendicular lean mass (kg) divided by height (m) squared. For AMMI, values ≥ 5.5 kg/m2 were considered as adequate. Women who ingested at least one meal with 20 g of protein showed higher odds to present adequate AMMI in crude model [OR = 3.39 (1.14–10.09)] and after adjustments for total protein intake, age, energy intake, and physical activity [OR = 6.22 (1.21–31.96)]. The intake of at least one meal containing 20 g of protein is associated with higher odds to present adequate AMMI in women.