Research Project: Data from small clinical studies suggest that current protein recommendations mayhighlightednot be optimal for older adults, but evidence from population-based studies is sparse. During thementored phase of the award, the candidate proposes to contribute to the emerging evidence basefor establishing optimal protein intake using epidemiologic data by evaluating potential benefits andadverse associations of higher protein intake with physical function and kidney function During the independent phase of the award, Dr. Beasley will 2) administerin theWomen's Health Initiative.a food frequency questionnaire to a cohort of 8,000 participants of the Women's Health InitiativeExtension Study aged 80 and over older adults; 3) assess renal function in a subset of 500 womenusing creatinine and cystatin C; 4) measure associations between protein intake and changes in renalfunction and physical function using the Short Performance Physical Battery. Candidate andEnvironment: Dr. Beasley is a NRSA fellow funded by the National Institute of Aging at theGroupHealth Research Institute and a staff scientist at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Dr.Beasley received training in public health nutrition at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hilland earned her doctorate in epidemiology from Johns Hopkins University. The career developmentaward provides the additional training needed in aging and statistical analysis, so Dr. Beasley will beable to contribute scientific evidence that would help define nutrient recommendations for older adultsin order to maintain physical function and reduce the burden of chronic disease.
Public Health Relevance: Assessing the benefits and risks of higher protein intake on long-term health outcomes will inform dietary guidelines. This research will help to produce the scientific evidence that would help define the nutritional needs of older adults for preserving physical function and reducing morbidity. Thesaurus Terms: dietary assessment;protein;older adults;physical function;renal function
| Beasley, Jeannette M; Aragaki, Aaron K; LaCroix, Andrea Z et al. (2011) Higher biomarker-calibrated protein intake is not associated with impaired renal function in postmenopausal women. J Nutr 141:1502-7 |
| Beasley, Jeannette M; Ichikawa, Laura E; Ange, Brett A et al. (2010) Is protein intake associated with bone mineral density in young women? Am J Clin Nutr 91:1311-6 |
| Beasley, Jeannette M; LaCroix, Andrea Z; Neuhouser, Marian L et al. (2010) Protein intake and incident frailty in the Women's Health Initiative observational study. J Am Geriatr Soc 58:1063-71 |
