Frailty in older adults is a clinical syndrome when at least 3 of 5 criteria are met: unintentional weight loss of about 10 pounds in the past year, exhaustion, weakness as measured by grip strength, slow walking speed, and low physical activity.

A news article in JAMA described the use of a Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes plant foods (fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, seeds, tree nuts, and olives), fish, and olive oil as a possible strategy to prevent frailty.

“The things in the Mediterranean diet are thought to extend the period of health while you’re aging,” said Rozalyn Anderson, PhD, associate professor, Geriatrics and Gerontology.

Researchers and clinicians are looking at how following the Mediterranean diet and its accompanying lifestyle elements such as cooking and eating with family may help promote vigor, increase social engagement, and increase strength and mobility.

"One of the biggest problems that happens in people as they get older...is that they lose their appetite and this can be a recipe for disaster,” said Dr. Anderson. “Then they have less energy, they’re moving less, and they’re losing lean mass. This is at the center of frailty.”

Resources:

• "The Mediterranean Diet’s Fight Against Frailty," JAMA Network, May 15, 2018.

Photo credit (top): Mediterranean diet vegetables in the market of Campo de Fiori in Rome, Italy. CC-BY-2.0 courtesy of Moyan_Brenn