Investigating the impact of nutrition and body composition on mortality risk, diseases of ageing and inflammation in the EPIC-Norfolk cohort

Mulligan, Angela (2024) Investigating the impact of nutrition and body composition on mortality risk, diseases of ageing and inflammation in the EPIC-Norfolk cohort. Doctoral thesis, University of East Anglia.

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Abstract

In England, heart disease, cancer and respiratory diseases are currently among the top five causes of mortality. Additionally, the number of older people is growing, many of whom suffer from a poor quality of life, often associated with the presence of multiple long-term conditions (MLTCs), and potentially linked to age-related inflammation.

I investigated the impact of diet and changes in body composition on mortality risk, chronic conditions and inflammation, to ascertain how these lifestyle factors could benefit the ageing process. I used anthropometric, biochemical and dietary data from the Norfolk centre of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC-Norfolk), a general population-based cohort of more than 25,000 middle- and older-aged men and women, with a long follow-up on measures of exposure and disease outcomes. I carried out research where there were conflicting findings in the existing literature and for previously unexplored hypotheses.

I researched the effects of (1) changes in weight and (2) waist circumference on mortality risk, and (3) associations of dietary intakes and plasma concentrations of vitamin E with measures of skeletal muscle mass, bone density status and fracture risk. I also (4) validated the Dietary Inflammatory Index against C-reactive protein (CRP) and several nutritional biomarkers, and additionally assessed if a more proinflammatory diet was associated with having MLTCs.

Results showed that weight loss, but conversely waist circumference gain were significantly associated with higher mortality risk; higher intakes and blood concentrations of vitamin E were protective for musculoskeletal health; and a more anti-inflammatory diet was significantly associated with higher odds of having MLTCs, though a lower concentration of CRP and higher circulating vitamin concentrations.

Taken together, this research provides a valuable contribution to understanding the impact of nutrition and body composition on mortality risk, diseases of ageing and inflammation.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Publication
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
Depositing User:	Kitty Laine
Date Deposited:	17 Mar 2025 15:03
Last Modified:	17 Mar 2025 15:03
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/98767
DOI:

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