Brief communication: energy and protein intake in a sample of hospitalized elderly in Hong Kong.
The present study investigated energy and protein intake in 17 hospitalized elderly patients in Hong Kong. Food intake was directly measured for breakfast, lunch and dinner over two consecutive days. Energy intakes were low--the meals provided, on average, 57% and 45% of the calculated basal metabolic rate (BMR) and energy requirement (1.27 x BMR), respectively. Protein intake per kilogram of body weight was below 0.75 g in eight subjects. The type of meat served at both lunch and dinner influenced energy and protein intakes. Energy intake was significantly higher when the meals contained pork, and protein intake was significantly higher when chicken was served. The present study highlights the importance of meat in the diet of the hospitalized elderly patient and indicates the influence that this food may have on energy and protein intakes. Effective strategies to increase energy and protein intakes in the hospitalized elderly are urgently required.
Henry
C Jeya K
CJ
Nutrition and Food Science Group, School of Biological and Molecular Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Gipsy Lane Campus, Headington, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK.
Woo
Jean
J
Lightowler
Helen J
HJ
Seyoum
Teodros A
TA
Yip
Ricky
R
Lee
Roselle
R
Hui
Elsie
E
Shing
Sandra
S
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001835:Body Weight; D004032:Diet; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004435:Eating / Q000502:physiology*; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005260:Female; D005504:Food Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D006723:Hong Kong; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat; D008875:Middle Aged
D004044:Dietary Proteins