title: Nutritional quality of meals in nursing homes and meals on wheels for elderly persons in Croatia.
abstract: The aim of the study was to evaluate the adequacy of meals provided for elderly residents and non-residents of nursing homes in Croatia. Menus of 44 all-day meals provided for residents from 4 nursing homes and 34 meals on wheels provided for non-residents of low socioeconomic status were selected by random sampling. A questionnaire was used to determine socioeconomic status and attitude of residents (n = 89) and non-residents (n = 80) regarding meals offered. An average energy value of all-day meals and meals on wheels was 96.7 and 39.8% RDA respectively. All-day meals provide adequate amounts of the micronutrients examined (phosphorus, iron, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and vitamin C) with exception of calcium. Fat provided 35% and 36% of energy for all-day meals and meals on wheels respectively. The body mass index (BMI) under 18.5 kg/m2 had 1.7% residents and 4.0% non-residents. BMI higher than 24.9 kg/m2 were observed in 50% and 47% of residents and non-residents respectively. Gender differences were observed for meal preferences offered to both residents and non-residents. The meals provided adequate amounts of energy and the micronutrients examined. However, a decrease in the energy fraction of fat and decrease in protein content would be advisable.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Food Chemistry and Nutrition, Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, Pierottijeva 6, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia. icolic@pbf.hr
authors.forename: Irena Colić
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Barić
authors.forename: Zvonimir
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Satalić
authors.forename: Irena
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Keser
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D017523:Croatia; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D005522:Food Services / Q000592:standards*; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000592:standards*; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D009753:Nutritive Value; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012923:Social Class; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D018977:Micronutrients; D014815:Vitamins