Frailty is a pervasive condition among older people worldwide. Despite the association between higher protein intake and lower frailty risk has been well documented, older individuals encounter barriers to enhancing their protein consumption due to reduced appetite and impaired digestive capacity. This study aims to delve into the potential correlation between dietary protein diversity, protein patterns, and the risk of frailty among older Chinese individuals.

Prospective cohort study.

Community-based.

2,216 participants aged 65 and above and not frail at the baseline were recruited from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) dataset spanning from 2014 to 2018.

Dietary protein diversity was evaluated utilizing a protein diversity score (PDS), calculated based on the results of a food frequency questionnaire. Dietary protein patterns were identified by employing principal component analysis (PCA). Frailty was ascertained using a 40-item frailty index (FI) where FI > 0.21 indicated frailty. Logistic analysis was employed to investigate the association between dietary variables and frailty.

541 participants were identified as frail after a 4-year follow-up. After adjusting for confounders, each 1-unit increase in PDS was linked to a 10% decrease in frailty risk. Compared to individuals with PDS ≤ 1, those with PDS scores of 2–3, 4–5, and 6 had lower risks of frailty, with OR (95% CI) of 0.78 (0.58–1.06), 0.58 (0.38–0.87), 0.42 (0.20–0.81), respectively (P trend = 0.038). Individuals who consistently maintained high PDS demonstrated a lower frailty risk in contrast to those who maintained low PDS (OR = 0.60, 95% CI, 0.41–0.87). Additionally, the “meat-fish” pattern exhibited a protective association with frailty, with OR Q4 versus Q1 (95% CI) of 0.54 (0.40–0.74), P trend < 0.001.

Maintaining a variety of dietary protein sources and following a “meat-fish” protein pattern might decrease the likelihood of frailty among the older Chinese population.