Objective Recent research has investigated the possible inverse relationship between vitamin K intake and body fat. In addition, an increasing number of studies are supporting a key role for this vitamin in improving lipid profile and insulin sensitivity and reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus, but little is known about what mechanisms would be involved. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between vitamin K intake (in the form of phylloquinone - PK), body fat, lipid profile and markers of glucose homeostasis in adults and the elderly. Subjects and methods A cross-sectional study with 298 participants (46% men) in the São Paulo Health Survey 2014-2015. Spearman correlations were performed to evaluate the associations between vitamin K intake and the biochemical and body composition measures. Results Among normal-weight male adults (n = 15), PK intake presented a positive correlation with the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) (r = 0.525; p = 0.045). Among men with high fat mass index (FMI) (n = 101), PK intake had a negative correlation with homeostasis model assessment estimate for β-cell function (HOMA-β) (r = -0.227; p = 0.022). In women with high FMI (n = 122), PK intake had a negative correlation with HOMA-β (r = -0.199, p = 0.032) and insulin (r = -0.207, p = 0.026). No correlations were found between PK intake and lipid profile. Conclusions Our findings support a potential relationship among PK intake, body fat and markers of glucose homeostasis in adults and the elderly.

It is believed that the phenomenon of simultaneous changes in body composition could have a higher negative impact on general health. Thus, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of concomitant body composition disturbances and evaluate the association with dietary intake, sedentary behaviour, muscle strength, and performance. This is a cross-sectional study with 218 community-dwelling adults, aged 63 (59–69) years, both sexes (52% female) recruited from the Health Survey of the City of São Paulo. Assessments include appendicular lean mass (LM), fat mass and bone mineral density (BMD) by DXA, grip strength, time spent sitting, and dietary intake. Subjects were clustered into 8 groups: (1) normal, (2) osteopenia (OP), (3) low LM, (4) obesity, (5) OP + low LM, (6) obesity + OP, (7) obesity + low LM, and (8) obesity + OP + low LM. Statistical analyses include ANCOVA, the chi-square test, and linear regression models. 52 (23%) individuals presented obesity associated with another body composition change, with 14 (6%) having the combination of the 3 conditions (obesity + OP + low LM). All groups with obesity showed lower protein intake ( ); however, those with obesity or obesity + low LM spent more time in a sitting position ( ), and the group with obesity + OP + low LM had the lowest grip strength. The combination of obesity with low LM and OP presented the aggravating factor of being associated with lower grip strength. In a context of demographic and nutrition transition, the findings represent a demand for longitudinal investigations.