Introduction Individuals with COPD can be classified according to their levels of physical activity (PA) and physical capacity (PC). The relationship between nutrition and body composition within these classifications remains unclear.

Objectives To compare the body composition and food intake of people with COPD and verify the associations.

Methods Cross-sectional exploratory analysis study in which body composition and food intake were assessed in individuals with COPD. Classification was based on six-minute walk test (PC) and accelerometry(PA): Quadrant “can do, don’t do” (I-preserved PC, low PA); quadrant “can do, do do” (II-preserved PC, preserved PA).

Results 72 individuals with COPD, 39 in quadrant I and 33 in quadrant II, with mean ages of (69 ± 6) (67 ± 7), respectively. Group I had a higher proportion of males, whereas group II had a higher proportion of females. A positive trend in skeletal muscle mass (p=0.011) (B= 2.883) and a negative trend in basal metabolic rate (p=0.010) (B=-0.092) for group I.

Conclusion Brazilians with COPD classified in quadrants I and II showed similar results in terms of body composition and food intake. A positive trend in skeletal muscle mass was observed for the group I. These findings align with the pathophysiological model of COPD, in which the preservation of muscle mass and adequate protein intake support functional capacity and the maintenance of higher physical activity levels.

The authors have declared no competing interest.

the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (470742/2014-3) and the Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP for the funding; 2017/10145-7; 2018/04871-0; 18/04870-3; 2017/10925-2).

I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained.

Yes

The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below:

Research Ethics Committee/Universidade Estadual Paulista, approved.

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Yes

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Yes

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Yes

Data corroborating the results of this study are available on request from the corresponding author [P.B].