Nutrient intake and plate waste from an Australian residential care facility.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the plate waste, energy and selected-nutrient intake, from elderly residents living in a high-level care (HLC) and low-level care (LLC) facility.


METHODS
Three, single, whole day assessments of plate waste, energy, and selected nutrients, using a visual rating plate waste scale.


METHODS
Long-term residential care establishment.


METHODS
One hundred and sixty-nine (93 HLC and 76 LLC) individual daily intakes.


RESULTS
The mean energy wasted throughout the whole day was 17%. The energy wasted from main meals (16%) was significantly less than the energy wasted at mid-meals (22%, P=0.049). The lowest mean energy wastage occurred at breakfast (8%) compared to lunch (22%) and dinner (25%, P<0.001). The mean (s.d.) daily energy served and consumed was 8.1 (2.0) and 6.6 (2.2) MJ, respectively. There was no difference in energy served or consumed between HLC and LLC residents. On the observation day, 60% of residents consumed less than their estimated energy requirement. The mean calcium intake was 796 (346) mg, and the median (inter-quartile range) vitamin D intake was 1.78 (2.05) microg.


CONCLUSIONS
On 1 day, more than half the residents surveyed were at risk of consuming an inadequate energy intake, which over-time, may result in body weight loss. Although wastage was not excessive and energy served was adequate, the amount of food eaten was insufficient to meet energy and calcium requirements for a significant number of residents and it is not possible to consume sufficient vitamin D through food sources.
Grieger
J A
JA
School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia. jagri@deakin.edu.au
Nowson
C A
CA
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005521:Food Service, Hospital / Q000592:standards*; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009735:Nursing Homes; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D009752:Nutritional Status; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D014807:Vitamin D