Non-starch polysaccharide/dietary fibre supplementation using small meals in long-stay frail elderly patients.
Small meals of high non-starch polysaccharide (NSP)/dietary fibre cakes were offered to clinically stable continuing-care elderly patients, replacing the standard provision of low NSP/dietary fibre commercial cakes in an attempt to improve their well being. The study design was comprised of a 4 week control period, a 4 week intervention period, when modified cakes were offered, and finally a second 4 week control period. During intervention, an additional 33% NSP or 23% dietary fibre was offered, but only 7.7% and between 3.5% and 5.6% were consumed, respectively. Anthropometric measurements and bowel frequency did not change throughout the study but a decrease in aperient use was noted. From this study it was concluded that more comprehensive changes in food provision are required to achieve the current recommended consumption of NSP/dietary fibre in continuing-care elderly patients.
Hankey
C R
CR
Department of Dietetics, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Cullen
A
A
Wynne
H
H
Death
J
J
Kenny
R A
RA
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003248:Constipation / Q000178:diet therapy*; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D016330:Frail Elderly; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans