Macronutrient Distribution and Frailty According to Energy Sufficiency

Background/Objectives: Nutritional status is a potentially modifiable factor associated with frailty in older adults. However, the association between macronutrient balance and frailty remains understudied and may differ by energy intake sufficiency. We examined the association between adherence to the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges (AMDRs) and frailty by energy intake sufficiency.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 2803 adults aged ≥65 years who participated in the 2022 and 2024 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Macronutrient intake was classified using the 2025 Korean AMDRs for carbohydrate (50–65%), protein (10–20%), and fat (15–30% of energy). AMDR adherence required all three ranges to be met. Energy sufficiency was defined as ≥30 kcal/kg/day, and frailty was assessed using a modified Fried phenotype. Survey-weighted logistic regression and restricted cubic spline (RCS) analyses accounted for complex sampling design.