Managing the nutritional needs of older Filipinos: protein intake, sarcopenia, and functional health (MANO PO Study)

This thesis examines sarcopenia among older Filipinos as a functionally relevant and measurable public health concern within a rapidly ageing low  and middle income country (LMIC) in Southeast Asia. Titled "MANO PO" after the traditional Filipino gesture of respect toward elders, the work reflects both a cultural commitment and a scientific imperative: to generate locally relevant evidence that supports nutritional health, physical function, and quality of life in later life.

The thesis investigates the interrelationships among protein intake, body composition, and functional outcomes, situating sarcopenia within broader nutritional, epidemiological, and methodological contexts rather than treating it solely as an isolated clinical condition of ageing. By integrating population-based analyses, methodological validation, and a randomized controlled intervention, this work provides comprehensive evidence on dietary patterns, sarcopenia burden, diagnostic considerations, and intervention effectiveness among community-dwelling older adults in the Philippines.