# Easy-to-Use Guidelines on Protein Intake and Physical Activity Recommendations Derived from the COGFRAIL Study and the Toulouse Frailty Clinic

## TL;DR

This study provides simple guidelines for protein intake and physical activity for older adults based on nutritional and physical assessments.

## Contribution

The study introduces an easy-to-use algorithm using MNA and SPPB scores to guide nutritional and physical activity counseling for older adults.

## Key findings

- Participants with low MNA and SPPB scores showed significant protein and caloric deficiencies.
- A daily protein-caloric deficit was observed in participants with low MNA and SPPB scores.
- An algorithm using MNA and SPPB scores is proposed to guide counseling for older adults.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: In primary care, tailored physical activity and nutritional counselling are scarce for older adults. Several challenges contribute to this issue, the primary obstacle being limited access to expert healthcare providers. The purpose of this study was to propose a quick, easy-to-implement case-finding tool offering straightforward nutritional and physical activity counselling to overcome these barriers. Methods: Cross-sectional, baseline analysis was performed on 277 participants of the Cognitive Function and Amyloid Marker in Frail Older Adults (COGFRAIL) study, aged 70 years and older with mild cognitive impairment (mini-mental state examination score ≥ 20) and autonomy in daily living activities (ADL ≥ 4). Body composition was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, physical function was assessed using the short physical performance battery (SPPB), and nutrition was assessed using the mini nutritional assessment (MNA). A structured dietary interview was conducted to collect data on a typical daily intake pattern. A second database of 725 autonomous frail older adults from the Frailty clinic was used to test the robustness of the findings. Results: Participants with MNA scores < 24/30 and SPPB scores < 6/12 presented a high percentage of protein (74.1%) and caloric (66.7%) deficiency compared to the other categories. Based on standard daily protein and caloric recommendations, age, and weight, this category had a daily protein-caloric deficit of −19.4 ± 22.7 g and −225.5 ± 430.1 Kcal. Conclusions: Based on the data, an easy-to-use algorithm using MNA and SPPB scores is suggested. This algorithm could serve as an effective tool for guiding nutritional and physical activity counselling for community-dwelling older adults.