Nutritional status of Irish older people in receipt of meals-on-wheels and the nutritional content of meals provided.
BACKGROUND
Research has suggested that meals-on-wheels recipients can be at risk for poor nutritional status. Despite this, few countries have statutory minimum requirements for the nutrient content of meals-on-wheels. This study examined both the nutritional status of a sample of Irish recipients and the nutrient content of a sample of meals provided to determine whether Irish recipients would benefit from statutory minimum nutritional standards.


METHODS
The study had two phases. First, a nutritional assessment was carried out to analyse the nutritional status of a sample of Irish meals-on-wheels recipients (Mini Nutritional Assessment and 24-h dietary recall with 63 self-selected respondents). Second, an assessment of the nutrient content of a sample of 46 meals from eight meals-on-wheels services was undertaken to characterise the nutritional content of the meals.


RESULTS
Over one-third of recipients (38.5%) were malnourished or at-risk of malnutrition and over half (52.3%) were overweight or obese. The mean (SD) energy [kJ (kcal)] content of the meals assessed was 3008 (498) kJ [719 (119.1) kcal], contributing 35-40% of the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for males aged 65 years and over and 42-45% of the RDA for females aged 65 years and over. In the meals assessed, the levels of vitamin C (25.3%), vitamin D (11.6%), folate (24.8%) and calcium (20.9%) were below one-third of the Irish RDA for these nutrients.


CONCLUSIONS
Irish recipients may not be receiving adequate micronutrients from meals-on-wheels. Legislation that sets out minimum standards for the nutrient content of meals-on-wheels and greater variation in the portion sizes offered may benefit recipients.
Social Policy and Ageing Research Centre, School of Social Work and Social Policy, Trinity College, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland. cmodwyer@tcd.ie
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D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004032:Diet / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D005522:Food Services / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000032:analysis*; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009753:Nutritive Value; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology
D018977:Micronutrients