Nutrient Inadequacies Among Elderly Residents Of Long-term Care Facilities

Publication: Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
15 May 2008

Abstract

Purpose: Regular, non-therapeutic diets were examined in long-term care (LTC) residents to determine whether these residents consumed adequate nutrients according to current recommendations.
Methods: Elderly (88 ± 8 years) residents (31 female, 17 male) in five Saskatoon LTC centres participated. All were receiving regular diets. Dietary intakes were collected for three days at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, by using simultaneous weighed and observation methods. Snacks provided and eaten were also recorded.
Results: Observed intakes provided more complete data on nutrient intake than did weighed intakes. Inadequacy was most prevalent (in 70% or more of participants) for folate (according to prefortification intake levels), magnesium, zinc, vitamin E, and vitamin B6; inadequacy prevalence was below 50% for protein, vitamin C, and thiamine. Mean intakes of calcium, vitamin D, and dietary fibre were well below their respective Adequate Intake (AI) values. Energy consumed at meals and with snacks was 16% less than that offered at meals alone; other nutrients ingested ranged from 0% to 32% below energy offered. To model nutrient planning, target usual intake distributions were calculated where possible.
Conclusions: These data suggest that nutrient-dense foods alone may not allow elderly LTC residents to meet intake requirements for many nutrients. Assessment of dietary adequacy in institutionalized elderly people allows for the development of realistic nutrition goals.

Résumé

Objectif: L’alimentation usuelle, non thérapeutique, a été examinée chez des résidents d’établissements de soins de longue durée (SLD) pour déterminer si ces personnes consomment des quantités suffisantes de nutriments selon les recommandations actuelles.
Méthodes: Les participants étaient des résidents (31 femmes, 17 hommes, 88 ± 8 ans) de cinq centres de SLD de Saskatoon. Tous recevaient une alimentation ordinaire. Les apports alimentaires ont été relevés pendant trois jours au déjeuner, dîner et souper par des méthodes de pesée et d’observation appliquées simultanément. Les collations fournies et consommées ont également été consignées.
Résultats: Les apports observés ont fourni des données plus complètes sur l’apport en nutriments que les apports pesés. On a noté une prévalence d’apports insuffisants (chez plus de 70% des participants) pour le folate (selon les niveaux de consommation sans enrichissement), le magnésium, le zinc, la vitamine E et la vitamine B6; la prévalence d’apports insuffisants se chiffrait à moins de 50% pour les protéines, la vitamine C et la thiamine. Les apports moyens en calcium, vitamine D et fibres alimentaires étaient largement inférieurs aux apports suffisants respectifs. L’énergie consommée aux repas et aux collations était inférieure de 16% à celle offerte aux repas seulement; les autres nutriments ingérés se situaient entre 0% et 32% au-dessous de l’énergie offerte. Pour modéliser la planification nutritionnelle, les distributions cibles de l’apport usuel ont été calculées lorsque c’était possible.
Conclusions: Ces données portent à croire que les aliments à forte densité nutritive seuls peuvent ne pas permettre à des résidents d’établissements de SLD de satisfaire à leurs besoins pour de nombreux nutriments. L’évaluation de la qualité de l’alimentation chez ces personnes âgées permet de définir des buts nutritionnels réalistes.

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Information

Published In

cover image Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
Volume 69Number 2July 2008
Pages: 82 - 88

History

Version of record online: 15 May 2008

Authors

Affiliations

Christina O. Lengyel, PhD, PHEc, RD
College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK
Susan J. Whiting, PhD
College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK
Gordon A. Zello, PhD
College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK

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1. Is Fibre an Effective Strategy to Improve Laxation in Long-Term Care Residents?
2. Micronutrients on the Menu: Enhancing the Quality of Food in Long-term Care for Regular, Nontherapeutic Menus

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