Increasing Protein Intake to Help Older Adults Increase Muscle Strength and Function: A Pilot, Single-Arm Investigation Using Coaching and a Per-Meal Protein Prescription

To evaluate the effects of nutrition education, diet coaching, and a protein prescription (PP) on protein intake, and associations with muscle strength and function. Prospective pretest posttest single-arm study. Urban area, East coast of South Florida. Participants: 20 white, non-Hispanic adults, aged 73.3 + 10.4 years. 10-week telephone-based diet coaching, nutrition education and a per-meal PP. Protein and energy intakes, weight, grip strength (GS), and 5-chair-rise (5CR), timed up and go (TUG), 3-meter walk (3mW) tests at baseline and 10 weeks. Pre to 10-week post values significantly improved (p