title: Effect of family style mealtimes on quality of life, physical performance, and body weight of nursing home residents: cluster randomised controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effect of family style mealtimes on quality of life, physical performance, and body weight of nursing home residents without dementia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cluster randomised trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five Dutch nursing homes.
  
  
  METHODS
  178 residents (mean age 77 years). Two wards in each home were randomised to intervention (95 participants) or control groups (83).
  
  
  METHODS
  During six months the intervention group took their meals family style and the control group received the usual individual pre-plated service.
  
  
  METHODS
  Quality of life (perceived safety; autonomy; and sensory, physical, and psychosocial functioning), gross and fine motor function, and body weight.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The difference in change between the groups was significant for overall quality of life (6.1 units, 95% confidence interval 2.1 to 10.3), fine motor function (1.8 units, 0.6 to 3.0), and body weight (1.5 kg, 0.6 to 2.4).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Family style mealtimes maintain quality of life, physical performance, and body weight of nursing home residents without dementia.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Clinical trials NCT00114582.
authors: Wageningen University, Division of Human Nutrition, PO Box 8129, 6700 EV Wageningen, Netherlands. Kristel.Nijs@wur.nl
authors: Kristel A N D
authors: KA
authors: Nijs
authors: Cees
authors: C
authors: de Graaf
authors: Frans J
authors: FJ
authors: Kok
authors: Wija A
authors: WA
authors: van Staveren