Increased stool frequency occurs when finely processed pea hull fiber is added to usual foods consumed by elderly residents in long-term care.
Dietary fiber fortification of food offers a preventative strategy that is a less invasive alternative to laxatives and enemas in the management of constipation in elderly individuals. To determine if a moderate increase in fiber provided in foods would increase bowel movement frequency among elderly institutionalized residents, data were collected on the same elderly residents (n=114) before and during a 6-week intervention. The intervention consisted of adding finely processed pea hull fiber (1-3 g/serving) to 3 to 4 foods each day. Laxative and enema use was monitored. Mean number of bowel movements/month increased from 18.7+/-9.4 to 20.1+/-9.6 (n=114, P=.034), and in 17 residents with low baseline frequency, the increase was highly significant (8.8+/-1.0 to 12.6+/-3.8 bowel movements/month, P=.001). With treatment, prune-based laxative administration decreased (P<.001). Thus, addition of a moderate amount of finely processed fiber to foods results in increased bowel frequency in institutionalized elderly individuals.
Dahl
Wendy J
WJ
College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
Whiting
Susan J
SJ
Healey
Adrienne
A
Zello
Gordon A
GA
Hildebrandt
Sherri L
SL
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002400:Cathartics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003248:Constipation / Q000178:diet therapy*; D003672:Defecation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004733:Enema / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006801:Humans; D007326:Institutionalization; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018532:Pisum sativum / Q000737:chemistry
D002400:Cathartics; D004043:Dietary Fiber