Description

The global elderly population is rapidly increasing, with the 65-and-over age group being the fastest growing. Currently, about 9% of the world's population is over 65, and this proportion is projected to reach 16% by 2050. The silvering of China's population continues its steady march. By the end of 2023, the population aged 60 and above is 296.97 million, accounting for 21.1% of the national population, of which 216.76 million are aged 65 and above, accounting for 15.4% of the national population. As China's population continues to age, the silver tsunami shows no signs of abating. By 2030, it is estimated that the number of elderly individuals aged 65 and above will have surged to approximately 240 million. And by 2050, the ranks of octogenarians and above are projected to reach a staggering 100 million. The overall health status of China's elderly population is a cause for concern. More than 80% of individuals aged 65 and above suffer from at least one chronic disease, and by the age of 75, this number increases to at least three. Approximately 44 million elderly citizens are either partially or fully disabled, casting a long shadow over their own lives, placing a significant burden on their families, and society. The health of China's elderly has become a pressing public health issue that demands the attention of the entire nation. Frailty is a geriatric syndrome characterized by an increased vulnerability to stressors. It is a state of diminished physiological reserve and impaired function across multiple organ systems, leading to increased dependency and mortality. Epidemiological data suggest that the prevalence of frailty in the elderly population ranges from approximately 4.9% to 27.3%. Among community-dwelling elderly individuals, the prevalence is estimated to be between 6.9% and 14.9%. The incidence of frailty increases with advancing age, with over 25% of individuals aged 85 and older experiencing this debilitating condition. Research has painted a sobering picture of the consequences of persistent frailty in the elderly population. It has been shown to increase the risk of a cascade of negative events, including falls, disability, delirium, hospitalization, and even premature mortality. The risk of morbidity and mortality escalates significantly, with a 68% increase in all-cause mortality for every 0.1-unit increase in the frailty index (HR=1.68, 95% CI: 1.66-1.71). Frailty also places a heavy burden on caregivers and healthcare systems, straining resources and exacerbating the challenges of caring for an aging population. Furthermore, frail elderly individuals are particularly vulnerable to precipitous declines in health, even from minor stressors such as infections, new medications, falls, constipation, or urinary retention. These events can trigger a downward spiral, leading to hospitalization, disability, and even death, severely compromising the quality of life for elderly individuals and placing a greater demand on healthcare services. In the global tapestry of frailty research, interventions have largely focused on isolated threads, such as exercise regimens, nutritional counseling, risk factor modification, and comprehensive care. However, the intricate web of frailty demands a more holistic approach, one that weaves together these diverse strands. There is a notable lack of research investigating comprehensive intervention measures. It is of utmost importance to conduct community-based research to explore a comprehensive nutritional intervention model for frailty that is tailored to the unique characteristics of the Chinese population, scientifically sound, and sustainable.