Nutritional status, dietary inflammatory potential, and risk of osteosarcopenia: the Bushehr Elderly Health (BEH) program

Abstract Background Osteosarcopenia is a growingly approved geriatric condition with a significant prevalence that contributes to higher rates of illness and death. Chronic inflammation and inadequate nutrition are key risk factors for numerous age-related diseases. Objective This study sought to explore the relationship between the inflammatory potential of dietary patterns, nutritional intake, and the occurrence of osteosarcopenia in older adults. Methods This study was a cross-sectional analysis of the second stage of the Bushehr Elderly Health (BEH) program, a prospective cohort study. Osteosarcopenia was defined as the co-occurrence of osteopenia/osteoporosis and sarcopenia. Dietary nutrient intakes and Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) scores were assessed using a 24-h dietary recall method. Results In general, 532 participants (21.9%) out of 2392 (1231 women) who entered the study had osteosarcopenia. A significantly lower intake of energy, protein, and carbohydrates was observed in osteosarcopenics. The mean diet DII for participants with and without osteosarcopenia was calculated as 0.367 ± 1.59 and − 0.117 ± 1.65, respectively. In crude models, the risk of osteosarcopenia was notably reduced for those in the higher tertiles (T3) of protein, carbohydrate, and energy intakes. After adjusting for confounding factors, this relationship was statistically significant. According to the relationship between DII and the odds of osteosarcopenia in the crude model, people in the T3 were more likely to have osteosarcopenia compared to those in the T1 [ OR = 1.94 (1.52–2.47)]. When the analysis was controlled for covariates, participants with the greatest DII score had higher odds of osteosarcopenia than those with the lowest DII [ OR = 1.44 (1.07–1.94)]. Conclusion Our findings displayed a significant association between osteosarcopenia and diets with high pro-inflammatory potential. Additionally, we proposed that the daily intake of energy, protein, and carbohydrates in Iranian elderly is inversely related to osteosarcopenia. More studies are essential to confirm these results.