Can foodservices in aged care homes deliver sustainable food fortification strategies? A review

Abstract

Food fortification is used as a nutrition support strategy in aged care homes, for residents who are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. The aim of this review was to determine the scope and strength of published works exploring relationships between food fortification strategies, mode of delivery and sustainability in aged care homes. Literature from four databases and grey literature was searched. A total of 3152 articles were screened. Seventeen studies were included. Results showed that the majority of studies used pre-made food fortification, rather than fortifying foods on-site. There was heterogeneity across studies, including the mode of delivery and ingredients used for food fortification. Only two studies measured any aspect of costs. No clear sustainable strategies for implementing food fortification in this setting could be identified. Research is required to provide further insight into the acceptability and sustainability of food fortification interventions. ARTICLE HISTORY

Meal choice for residential aged care is not yet defined: A scoping review of policies, standards, reports and guidelines

“…Previous reviews have used JBI tools and created a numerical scoring system to rate the quality of the text. 14 Using this methodology for the JBI text and opinion tool, a score of 4 to 5 indicated moderate quality and a score of six, high quality. Scores of 3 and below were excluded.…”

“…The JBI tool includes six questions relating to quality, as well as an overall appraisal of the text that requires authors to make a judgement to either include or exclude the article. Previous reviews have used JBI tools and created a numerical scoring system to rate the quality of the text 14 . Using this methodology for the JBI text and opinion tool, a score of 4 to 5 indicated moderate quality and a score of six, high quality.…”

Biofortification of Staple Crops to Alleviate Human Malnutrition: Contributions and Potential in Developing Countries

“…With the focus on products that are already consumed in care homes, fortification strategies are very effective. A six-month consumption of fortified milk has been successfully used to achieve recommended vitamin D levels [35,36]. Consequently, this led to better bone quality (with additional vitamin supplementation), muscle strength, and digestive resorption of calcium.…”

Food and Nutrition Champions in Residential Aged Care Homes Are Key for Sustainable Systems Change within Foodservices; Results from a Qualitative Study of Stakeholders

“…An interview guide was created based on gaps identified by the researchers in a narrative literature review [15]. The interview guide was composed of 28 questions: 3 related to what the interviewees perceived to be the main issues in foodservices, 5 related to unintended weight loss, 4 related to the menu and nutrition support strategies, 9 related to staff responsibilities and training, 3 related to long-term sustainability, and 4 related to barriers to change that may impact the implementation of food fortification strategies.…”

“…This strategy can be implemented across the menu and is effective for residents who are small eaters. There are currently no best practice guidelines for the delivery of food fortification in this setting and the Aged Care Quality Standards are silent, leading to practices varying between homes [15,16].…”