The first nutritionDay in nursing homes: Participation may improve malnutrition awareness

Valentini L, Schindler K, Schlaffer R, Bucher H, Mouhieddine M, Steininger K, Tripamer J, Handschuh M, Schuh C, Volkert D, Lochs H, Sieber C, Hiesmayr M (2009)

Publication Status: Published

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2009

Journal

Clinical Nutrition Elsevier

Publisher: CHURCHILL LIVINGSTONE

Book Volume: 28

Pages Range: 109-116

Journal Issue: 2

DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2009.01.021

Abstract

Background aims: A modified version of the nutritionDay project was developed for nursing homes (NHs) to increase malnutrition awareness in this area. This report aims to describe the first results from the NH setting.Methods: On February 22, 2007, 8 Austrian and 30 German NHs with a total of 79 units and 2137 residents (84 9 years of age, 79% female) participated in the NH-adapted pilot test. The NHs participated voluntarily using standardized questionnaires. The actual nutritional intake at lunch time was documented for each resident. Six-month follow-up data were received from 1483 residents (69%).Results: Overall, 9.2% and 16.7% of residents were classified as malnourished subjectively by NH staff and by BMI criteria (<20 kg/m(2)), respectively. Independent risk factors for malnutrition included age > 90 years, immobility, dementia, and dysphagia (all p < 0.001). In total, 89% of residents ate at least half of the lunch meal, and 46% of residents received eating assistance for an average of 15 min. Sixmonth mortality was higher in residents with low nutritionDay BMI (<20 kg/m(2): 22%, 20-21.9 kg/m(2): 17%) compared to residents with BMI >= 22 kg/m(2) (10%. p < 0.001). Six-month weight loss >= 6 kg was less common in residents with nutritionDay BMI < 22 kg/m(2) compared to residents with higher nutritionDay BMI (3.4% vs 12.4%, p < 0.001).Conclusions: The first nutritionDay in NH provided valuable data on the nutritional status of NH residents and called attention to the remarkable time investment required by NH staff to adequately provide eating assistance to residents. Participation in the nutritionDay project appears to increase malnutrition awareness as reflected in the outcome weight results. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. All rights reserved.

Authors with CRIS profile

Dorothee Volkert Professur für Klinische Ernährung im Alter Cornel Sieber Lehrstuhl für Innere Medizin (Geriatrie)

Involved external institutions

Medizinischer Dienst der Krankenversicherung in Sachsen-Anhalt (MDK Sachsen-Anhalt) DE Germany (DE) Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Klinische Ernährung AT Austria (AT) Medizinische Universität Wien AT Austria (AT) Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Valentini, L., Schindler, K., Schlaffer, R., Bucher, H., Mouhieddine, M., Steininger, K.,... Hiesmayr, M. (2009). The first nutritionDay in nursing homes: Participation may improve malnutrition awareness. Clinical Nutrition, 28(2), 109-116. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2009.01.021

MLA:

Valentini, Luzia, et al. "The first nutritionDay in nursing homes: Participation may improve malnutrition awareness." Clinical Nutrition 28.2 (2009): 109-116.

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