Malnutrition and mealtime ambiance in nursing homes.
Inadequate nutritional intake is the predominant cause of malnutrition in older persons. It is one of the most common and devastating conditions in nursing home residents. It is multifactorial and treatment or nutrition care plans should try to address the main causes. Such plans often include means to stimulate appetite to prevent or treat anorexia. One important stimulus, which can be modulated easily, is the meal ambiance. This article deals with the theory or mechanism behind this meal ambiance stimulus, discusses some study results, and makes practical recommendations.
Nijs
Kristel
K
Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, The Netherlands.
de Graaf
Cees
C
van Staveren
Wija A
WA
de Groot
Lisette C P G M
LC
D000368:Aged; D004435:Eating / Q000523:psychology*; D005522:Food Services; D006801:Humans; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008612:Menu Planning; D009426:Netherlands; D009735:Nursing Homes; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011788:Quality of Life