Effect of Family-Style Meals on Energy Intake and Risk of Malnutrition in Dutch Nursing Home Residents: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background. Social facilitation and meal ambiance have beneficial effects on food intake in healthy adults. Extrapolation to the nursing home setting may lead to less malnutrition among the residents. Therefore, we investigate the effect of family-style meals on energy intake and the risk of malnutrition in Dutch nursing home residents.

Poor nutritional status of older subacute patients predicts clinical outcomes and mortality at 18 months of follow-up

“…27 Non-traditional effective ways to improve patient dietary intake have been demonstrated, including the incorporation of feeding assistants onto a trauma ward 29 or provision of a family-style dinner arrangement instead of a tray service within a nursing home setting. 30 It is noteworthy that over half of the patients in the present study who were characterised as malnourished and 76% of those at risk of malnutrition were discharged home from hospital. Community-based services exist that provide support to such patients; however, these generally require an in-home eligibility assessment that may take a number of weeks, if not months, to be completed.…”

The SNAQRC, an easy traffic light system as a first step in the recognition of undernutrition in residential care

“…In order to prevent undernutrition, attention for the meal ambiance is also important. Is it known that the atmosphere of the social and physical environment during a meal, stimulate eating behavior of the residents (33).…”

Optimising nutrition in residential aged care: A narrative review

“…(iv) Mealtime ambience: In the RAC setting, meal ambiance, delivery method, choice over the meals and overall diet liberalisation may promote appetite and thereby have a significant impact upon the total dietary intake of residents (14,90,112). A Dutch cluster randomised, controlled trial revealed that when meals were provided "family style", energy intake improved by 991kJ (95%CI: 504-1479kJ), which was both statistically and clinically significant, leading to an improvement in global nutritional status (112).…”

“…A Dutch cluster randomised, controlled trial revealed that when meals were provided "family style", energy intake improved by 991kJ (95%CI: 504-1479kJ), which was both statistically and clinically significant, leading to an improvement in global nutritional status (112). Other successful strategies to promote mealtime ambiance include restaurant style seating and involving the residents in cooking the meals on the ward (51).…”