| Abstract |
The decline in pulmonary function is a common problem among older adults and closely associated with
reduced physical performance and loss of independence. The nutritional status may play a protective role in preserving
respiratory function. The present study aimed to examine the association between nutritional status and pulmonary
function in older adults and to determine whether better nutritional status is associated with improved respiratory
outcomes. Methods: Fifty community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years and older participated in this study. The
nutritional status was assessed using the Korean version of the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), and pulmonary
function was evaluated using a spirometer. The pulmonary parameters included forced vital capacity (FVC), forced
expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁), FEV₁/FVC ratio, and peak expiratory flow (PEF). Spearman’s correlation was used to
examine the relationship between MNA scores and pulmonary function. Moreover, multiple linear regression analyses
were performed to assess the association between categorical nutritional status (e.g., malnourished, at risk of
malnutrition, and normal nutrition) and pulmonary outcomes. Results: The MNA scores were significantly and positively
correlated with FEV₁ (ρ=.34, p=.015), FEV₁/FVC ratio (ρ=.33, p =.020), and PEF (ρ=.37, p=.007). In regression analyses,
participants in the risk of malnutrition and normal nutrition groups had significantly higher FEV₁ (B=.734 and .903; p=.015
and .001, respectively) and FEV₁/FVC (B=22.504 and 30.710; p=.003 and p<.001, respectively) than those in the
malnourished group. Conclusion: Better nutritional status is associated with improved pulmonary function, particularly
FEV₁ and FEV₁/FVC ratio, among older adults. These findings suggest that nutritional assessment and timely dietary
intervention play an important role in maintaining pulmonary health and potentially mitigating respiratory decline in the
aging population. |