Effect of liquid dietary supplements on energy intake in the elderly.
BACKGROUND
Undernutrition is a risk factor for increased mortality in older adults. Therapeutic intervention includes the administration of liquid dietary supplements.


OBJECTIVE
We investigated the effect of liquid dietary supplements on satiation, satiety, and energy intake in older adults.


METHODS
This study had 2 phases in a within-subject, repeated-measures design. The energy intake of 15 elderly (aged >70 y) and 15 younger (aged 20-40 y) healthy subjects was measured after 4 liquid preloads: water, high fat, high carbohydrate, and high protein. The preloads were administered within 5 min of a test meal in phase 1 and >or=60 min before the test meal in phase 2. Palatability, fullness, and hunger were assessed by using visual analogue scales.


RESULTS
Mean energy consumption of the test meals was significantly lower in the older than in the younger subjects (P = 0.001), as was mean macronutrient consumption of fat and carbohydrate (P = 0.002 and 0.001, respectively). Mean energy intake and macronutrient consumption were higher in phase 2 than in phase 1 in both older and younger subjects (P < 0.05). Satiety lasted longer in older than in younger subjects after the high-protein and high-fat preloads (P = 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
In the elderly, administration of dietary supplements between meals instead of with meals may be more effective in increasing energy consumption.
Wilson
Margaret-Mary G
MM
Division of Geriatric Medicine, St Louis University Health Sciences Center, St Louis, MO 63104, USA. wilsonmg@slu.edu
Purushothaman
Raj
R
Morley
John E
JE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D002149:Energy Intake; D006801:Humans; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D012528:Satiety Response; D014867:Water / Q000008:administration & dosage
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D014867:Water