Lifecourse patterns of protein consumption and physical capability in later life

Sarcopenia, the age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and function, is associated with increased risk of disability, loss of independence and mortality. Protein consumption stimulates muscle protein synthesis and is associated with lean mass change in older adults (1) and the anabolic response to feeding is attenuated in older people (2,3) . We hypothesised that patterns of protein consumption across the lifecourse influence muscle protein synthesis and, ultimately, physical capability. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that low protein consumption throughout adulthood impairs physical capability in later life. Participants in the MRC National Survey of Health and Development (The 1946 British birth cohort) provided dietary data (3 day food diaries) at three time points, when aged 36, 43 and 53y. Clinic-based physical performance (hand grip strength, chair rise, timed up and go and standing balance) was measured in 2006/10 when participants were 60‐64y. Using data for those participants with dietary information in at least one survey (n = 3019), relationships between lifelong patterns of protein consumption and measures of physical performance and strength were investigated using the General Linear Model/ univariate analysis. Models were adjusted for gender, current height and weight, adult habitual physical activity, educational attainment, father’s social class, smoking status, pulse- and mean arterial blood pressure. Protein intake group Mean protein intake