Abstract
BACKGROUND: New evidence indicates that increased dietary protein ingestion promotes health and recovery from illness, and also maintains functionality in older adults. The present study aimed to investigate whether a novel food service concept with protein-supplementation would increase protein and energy intake in hospitalised patients at nutritional risk.
METHODS: A single-blinded randomised controlled trial was conducted. Eighty-four participants at nutritional risk, recruited from the departments of Oncology, Orthopaedics and Urology, were included. The intervention group (IG) received the protein-supplemented food service concept. The control group (CG) received the standard hospital menu. Primary outcome comprised the number of patients achieving ≥75% of energy and protein requirements. Secondary outcomes comprised mean energy and protein intake, body weight, handgrip strength and length of hospital stay.
RESULTS: In IG, 76% versus 70% CG patients reached ≥75% of their energy requirements (P = 0.57); 66% IG versus 30% CG patients reached ≥75% of their protein requirements (P = 0.001). The risk ratio for achieving ≥75% of protein requirements: 2.2 (95% confidence interval = 1.3-3.7); number needed to treat = 3 (95% confidence interval = 2-6). IG had a higher mean intake of energy and protein when adjusted for body weight (CG: 82 kJ kg(-1) versus IG: 103 kJ kg(-1) , P = 0.013; CG: 0.7 g protein kg(-1) versus 0.9 g protein kg(-1) , P = 0.003). Body weight, handgrip strength and length of hospital stay did not differ between groups.
CONCLUSIONS: The novel food service concept had a significant positive impact on overall protein intake and on weight-adjusted energy intake in hospitalised patients at nutritional risk.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics |
Volume | 27 |
Issue number | 2 |
Pages (from-to) | 122-132 |
Number of pages | 11 |
ISSN | 0952-3871 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Apr 2014 |
Keywords
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Body Weight
- Diet
- Dietary Proteins
- Dietary Supplements
- Energy Intake
- Female
- Food Service, Hospital
- Hand Strength
- Hospitalization
- Hospitals
- Humans
- Length of Stay
- Male
- Nutritional Requirements
- Nutritional Status
- Protein-Energy Malnutrition
- Single-Blind Method