'Medical University Prof. Dr. Paraskev Stoyanov - Varna'
Doi
Abstract
Worldwide, seniors make up the fastest-growing age group which is associated with a gradual loss of muscle health as well as metabolic health. Previous studies have shown that personalised feedback and advice is more effective than general information in improving health behaviour. The primary focus of the current pilot-study was to demonstrate that personalisation of lifestyle advice improves muscle and metabolic health in a population of active seniors.Therefore, a total of 59 seniors aged 60 years or older with a sedentary lifestyle were recruited. The study was designed as a 9-week single-blind randomised controlled trial. At baseline and end, biological, genetic and socio-psychological measurements were performed. Food intake and compliance were monitored at three moments during the study. The intervention group (n=30) received personalised dietary and lifestyle advice (PA), based on their dietary intake, phenotype and genotype, whereas the control group (n=29) received generic advice (GA) based on the Dutch dietary guidelines.Both groups showed a significantly improved muscle as well as metabolic health. Interestingly, the PA group showed a significantly greater reduction in body fat percentage and hip circumference as compared to the GA group. In terms of dietary intake both groups showed a significant improvement, but only the PA group showed increased plasma vitamin D levels as well as higher EPA and DHA levels. Although protein intake decreased in both groups, plasma levels of several amino acids increased in the PA group, including essential and aromatic amino acids.In conclusion, this study indicates that personalised lifestyle advice results in additional health benefits as well as improved nutritional status in a population of active seniors as compared to general lifestyle advice.Acknowledgements: TNO, Wageningen Universit
