Dietary Intake Patterns of Community-Dwelling Older Adults After Acute Hospitalization

Abstract

Background Malnutrition and sarcopenia are a growing concern in community-dwelling older adults. Hospitalization increases the risk of malnutrition and leads to a decline in functional and nutritional status at discharge. Persistent malnutrition after hospital discharge may worsen post-hospital outcomes, including readmissions. The aim of this study was to determine dietary intakes and nutrient distribution patterns of community-dwelling older adults after acute hospitalization. Methods Participants (≥65 yrs old, n=85) were enrolled during acute hospitalization and dietary 24-hour recalls were collected weekly for one month post-discharge. Analysis included: change in dietary intake over recovery timeframe; daily intake of energy, protein, fruit, vegetables, and fluids; comparison of intake to recommendations; distribution of energy and protein across mealtimes; and analysis of most common food choices. Results Most participants did not meet current recommendations for energy, fruit, vegetables, or fluids. Average protein consumption was significantly higher than the current recommendation of 0.8g/kg/day; however only 55% of participants met this goal and less than 18% met the 1.2 g/kg/day proposed optimal protein intake for older adults. The protein distribution throughout the day was skewed and no one met the 0.4 g/meal protein recommendation at all meals. Conclusions Our findings indicate that community-dwelling older adults did not meet their nutritional needs during recovery after hospitalization. These data highlight the need for better nutritional evaluation and support of geriatric patients recovering from hospitalization.

Nutritional status and associated factors of older persons in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review

“…Moreover, the ageing process in itself affects some nutritional features. For example, the loss of sense of taste and smell, difficulty in chewing (because of loss of teeth) and poor swallowing ability, decreased secretions and weakened bowel function increase as people age [ 17 , 20 , 27 , 29 , 56 ]. Therefore, malnutrition is an important worry in older persons [ 17 , 20 , 27 , 31 , 56 ].…”

“…According to the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (2014), malnutrition is an imbalance between nutrient requirement and intake that negatively affects the individual’s growth. Such effects may manifest as under-nutrition, overnutrition, or micronutrient deficiencies [ 17 , 20 , 27 , 31 , 51 ].…”

Malnutrition among the aged population in Africa: A systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression of studies over the past 20 years

“…These factors collectively increase the prevalence of malnutrition among elders [5]. Therefore, malnutrition among the geriatric population is a public health problem in low and middle-income countries [6][7][8] such problem is more serious in developing countries because of poverty, low dietary diversity [9], and comorbidity [10]. Furthermore, evidence suggests that malnutrition is more prevalent in the geriatric population, but little attention has been given [11].…”

Caracterización sociodemográfica, antropométrica y dietética de adultos mayores venezolanos

“…Esta diferencia puede estar vinculada a los perfiles calóricos determinados en nuestra investigación, la ingesta media de energía y macronutrientes en las personas mayores a 70 años, ha sido inferior a los niveles recomendados por las RADM venezolanas. Hallazgo que no es peculiar, ya que se documenta en el contexto internacional, como Corish y Bardon (2019) en Irlanda, Ahn et al(2017) en Corea del Sur o Deer et al (2021) en Estados Unidos, la enorme dificultad práctica que representa alcanzar las directrices locales o internacionales recomendadas en cada país por un sector significativo de esta población 38,39,40 .…”