Olfaction and Changes in Body Composition in a Large Cohort of Older U.S. Adults.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Poor sense of smell in older adults may lead to weight loss, which may further contribute to various adverse health outcomes. However, empirical prospective evidence is lacking. We aimed to longitudinally assess whether poor olfaction is associated with changes in body composition among older adults.

Methods

A total of 2,390 participants from the Health ABC Study had their olfaction assessed using the Brief Smell Identification Test in 1999-2000. Based on the test score, olfaction was defined as poor (0-8), moderate (9-10), or good (11-12). Total body mass, lean mass, and fat mass were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry annually or biennially from 1999 to 2007.

Results

At baseline, compared to participants with good olfaction, those with poor olfa

SUBMITTER: Purdy F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7662158 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature