Dietary intake in the dependent elderly: evaluation of the risk of nutritional deficit.
BACKGROUND
Malnutrition is a frequent problem in elderly dependent patients and their prognosis is adversely affected. Assessment of food consumption and adequacy of energy and nutrient intake of dependent elderly is needed to plan any selected actions for this population.


METHODS
The study comprised a multicentre cross-sectional study of 190 users (≥65 years) of a home care programme provided by primary care centers in Tarragona (Spain), at nutritional risk (Mini Nutritional Assessment: 17-23.5 points). Food consumption was assessed using a semiquantitative validated food frequency questionnaire. Energy intake was compared with the Spanish dietary reference intake (DRI) and nutritional intakes with the DRI of the American Institute of Medicine.


RESULTS
Mean (SD) age was 85.0 (7.2) years (67.5% female). The food items consumed were varied but lower than the recommended portions for cereals, fruits, vegetables and legumes. Energy intake was 7454.2 (1553.9 kJ day(-1)) [1781.6 (371.4) kcal day(-1)] (97.7% of recommended dietary allowance; RDA) and protein intake was 1.0 (0.4) g kg(-1) of weight (121.4% of RDA). Proteins provided 13.3%, carbohydrates provided 39.9% and fats provided 45.8% of energy intake. The intakes of calcium, vitamin D, vitamin E and folates were less than two-thirds of the RDA and their probability of inadequate intake was >85%.


CONCLUSIONS
Dietary intakes of elderly dependent patients at nutritional risk were well balanced. In general, energy and protein intakes meet the recommendations. The diet was high in energy density, low in complex carbohydrates, high in simple carbohydrates and excessive in fats. The dependent elderly had inadequate intake of micronutrients often related to fragility, such as calcium, vitamin D, vitamin E and folates.
Unitat de Suport a la Recerca Tarragona-Reus, Institut Universitari d'Investigació en Atenció Primària Jordi Gol (IDIAP Jordi Gol), Barcelona, Spain.|Nutrition and Public Health Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain.
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S
Fernández-Barrés
Centre d'Atenció Primària, Direcció d'Atenció Primària Tarragona, Institut Català de la Salut, Tarragona, Spain.
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N
Martín
Centre d'Atenció Primària, Direcció d'Atenció Primària Tarragona, Institut Català de la Salut, Tarragona, Spain.
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Canela
Centre d'Atenció Primària, Direcció d'Atenció Primària Tarragona, Institut Català de la Salut, Tarragona, Spain.
M
M
García-Barco
Unitat de Suport a la Recerca Tarragona-Reus, Institut Universitari d'Investigació en Atenció Primària Jordi Gol (IDIAP Jordi Gol), Barcelona, Spain.|Institut de Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili, Reus, Spain.
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Basora
Unitat de Suport a la Recerca Tarragona-Reus, Institut Universitari d'Investigació en Atenció Primària Jordi Gol (IDIAP Jordi Gol), Barcelona, Spain.|Nutrition and Public Health Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain.|Institut de Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili, Reus, Spain.
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V
Arija
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002523:Edible Grain; D002149:Energy Intake; D007887:Fabaceae; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005638:Fruit; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D064167:Recommended Dietary Allowances; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014675:Vegetables; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage
D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D014807:Vitamin D; D014810:Vitamin E; D005492:Folic Acid
dependency; elderly patients; home care; nutrition; primary care