Prevalence of inadequate micronutrient intakes of Canadian long-term care residents

Abstract

This study determines the prevalence of inadequate micronutrient intakes consumed by long-term care (LTC) residents. This cross-sectional study was completed in thirty-two LTC homes in four Canadian provinces. Weighed and estimated food and beverage intake were collected over 3 non-consecutive days from 632 randomly selected residents. Nutrient intakes were adjusted for intra-individual variation and compared with the Dietary Reference Intakes. Proportion of participants, stratified by sex and use of modified (MTF) or regular texture foods, with intakes below the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) or Adequate Intake (AI), were identified. Numbers of participants that met these adequacy values with use of micronutrient supplements was determined. Mean age of males (n 197) was 85·2 (sd 7·6) years and females (n 435) was 87·4 (sd 7·8) years. In all, 33 % consumed MTF; 78·2 % (males) and 76·1 % (females) took at least one micronutrient pill. Participants on a MTF had lower intake for some nutrients (males=4; females=8), but also consumed a few nutrients in larger amounts than regular texture consumers (males=4; females =1). More than 50 % of participants in both sexes and texture groups consumed inadequate amounts of folate, vitamins B6, Ca, Mg and Zn (males only), with >90 % consuming amounts below the EAR/AI for vitamin D, E, K, Mg (males only) and K. Vitamin D supplements resolved inadequate intakes for 50-70 % of participants. High proportions of LTC residents have intakes for nine of twenty nutrients examined below the EAR or AI. Strategies to improve intake specific to these nutrients are needed.

Trace Mineral Intake and Deficiencies in Older Adults Living in the Community and Institutions: A Systematic Review

“…Our findings support observations by others showing zinc deficiency among older adults living in the community [61] and institutions [47]. A further study of 632 long-term care residents in Canada, who were aged 65 and over, also reported a dietary inadequacy of zinc [62].…”

Diet quality is associated with malnutrition and low calf circumference in Canadian long-term care residents

“…In the current analysis, 'sometimes' and 'often' receiving eating assistance were amalgamated to provide a sufficiently large group for comparison to those who received no eating assistance. This likely explains the divergence in findings from the main analysis and that from prior research [26]. Further, as noted in prior M3 analysis, persons requiring eating assistance are commonly prescribed MTDs, which are often lower in key nutrients as compared to regular texture diets [16].…”

“…According to Simmons et al (2010), offering residents a variety of foods and fluids in between meals may be a more effective way of improving nutritional status [25]. In the Making the Most of Mealtimes (M3) data set, we have demonstrated that about a third of micronutrients analyzed had high proportions (> 50%) of participants consuming levels below the recommendations [26]. However, limited research has explored the association between intake of specific nutrients or diet quality with malnutrition or low CC in LTC residents.…”

The effect of blue dishware versus white dishware on food intake and eating challenges among residents living with dementia: a crossover trial

“…Dishware colour also did not reduce eating challenges. RLWD often receive eating assistance to mitigate eating challenges and increase food consumption [ 11 , 16 ]. Eating assistance facilitates food intake, regardless of dishware colour [ 12 , 17 , 28 , 29 ].…”