engleski

Assessing Body Composition and Dietary Intake of Nursing Home Residents (NHR): A Case for Concern

Objectives: Elderly are at the highest risk for COVID-19 infections. The risk is heightened among NHR for several reasons, including unhealthy body composition and poor nutrition. Previously, we showed high prevalence of osteosarcopenic adiposity (OSA ; concomitant osteoporosis, sarcopenia and adiposity) in NRH. Objective of this study was to assess body composition and dietary intake of NHR in one Croatian nursing home. Methods: Participants, n=84 (81.2±6.8 y), were 82.1% females. Body composition, assessed with bio-impedance, BIA-ACC (BioTekna®, Marcon, Italy), yielded fat, lean/muscle tissue and volumetric bone mineral density (BMD g/cm3). Dietary intake, estimated via 24-hour recall, was analyzed with "Nutrition" (Infosistem, d.d., Croatia). All NHR signed the informed consent. Results: Both women and men were overweight with corresponding BMI of 29.6±5.2 and 27.2±3.2 kg/m2 (p=0.027). Women, compared to men, had higher body fat (42.1±5.9% vs. 36.6±5.4% ; ranking as obese), but lower skeletal muscle (11.3±3.3 kg vs. 17.3±3.1 kg). The respective BMD (1.006±0.012 vs. 1.018±0.012 g/cm3) was also low (all p≤0.001) influencing high OSA prevalence ( >50%). There was no difference in energy and macronutrient intake between women and men. Protein (0.71 and 0.68 g/kg for women and men) and fiber (~16 g/day) were below recommendation. Fat intake was ~35% of energy, with high saturated fatty acids (~14%) ; cholesterol was within recommendations. Most of the minerals (calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron) were below, while sodium and phosphorus were above recommendations for both women and men. About 42% women were taking vitamin supplements which increased the average intake above recommendations except for vitamin A. Men were below recommendations for all vitamins. Conclusions: High body fat and low muscle and bone mass leading to high prevalence of OSA, as well as poor dietary intake placed these NHR at higher risk for COVID-19. Their diet should be planned with higher nutrient-dense food, particularly protein and multiple minerals and vitamins, possibly through intake of fresh foods/vegetables and/or supplements. Personalized diets and exercise should be implemented to prevent further weight gain and improve muscle and bones, to render them less susceptible to COVID-19 infections.

body composition, dietary intake, nursing home residents

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