The Effect of Food Odor Exposure on Appetite and Nutritional Intake of Older Adults with Dementia

Objectives Dementia can lead to decreased appetite and nutritional intake. Food odor exposure has been shown to increase appetite and nutritional intake in young healthy adults. This study investigates the effect of food odor exposure on appetite, nutritional intake and body weight of Dutch nursing home residents with dementia. Design This was a one-armed, non-randomized, non-blinded intervention study consisting of a four-week control period followed by a twelve-week intervention period. Setting Four nursing homes in the Netherlands. Participants Forty-five nursing home residents with dementia. Intervention During the intervention period, odors were dispersed prior to the main meals. Measurements General and specific appetite for sweet and savory foods was measured weekly. Nutritional intake was measured once during the control period and three times during the intervention period through a 3-day food record. Body weight was assessed at the start and end of the control period and at the start, end and halfway the intervention period. Data were analyzed with linear mixed models. Results Small changes in general and specific appetite were observed after odor exposure. Overall energy intake did not change during the first four intervention weeks, but increased during the second and third (+118kcal/d, p=0.003 and +122kcal/d, p=0.004). Protein intake and body weight did not significantly change during the study. Conclusion In this study, no clinically relevant changes in appetite, nutritional intake and body weight were observed after food odor exposure. Future studies should assess the effect of natural food odors and/or meal-tailored odors on nutritional intake of older adults with dementia.

The Comparison of the Dietary Intake Loss Between Elderly and Non-Elderly Patients After Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer

Background/Aim The present study quantified the changes in the dietary and nutritional intake after gastrectomy between elderly and non-elderly patients. Patients and Methods This prospective observational study enrolled patients who underwent curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Results Twenty-three patients ≥ 75 years old were classified into the elderly group, and 127 patients < 75 years old were classified into the non-elderly group. The respective median % dietary intake losses at 1 and 3 months postoperatively were −12.4% and −5.3% in the elderly group and −8.3% and −2.8% in the non-elderly group (p = 0.075 and 0.080). On comparing the intake loss of three major nutrients, the respective median % lipid intake losses at 1 and 3 months postoperatively were −13.5% and −5.8% in the elderly group and −7.3% and 0% in the non-elderly group (p = 0.029 and 0.045). Conclusion Our results suggested that elderly patients experienced more serious lipid intake loss after gastrectomy than non-elderly patients.

Cross-sectional study of nutritional intake among patients undergoing tuberculosis treatment along the Myanmar–Thailand border

ObjectiveThis study summarises nutritional intake among patients with tuberculosis (TB) along the Myanmar–Thailand border according to the local diet.SettingTB clinic along the Myanmar–Thailand border.ParticipantsCross-sectional surveys of 24-hour food recall were conducted with participants receiving anti-TB treatment. Participants were purposively selected to reflect proportion of age, sex and HIV co-infection based on historical patient records. Out of a total of 28 participants, 20 (71.4%) were men and 5 (17.9%) were co-infected with HIV.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe primary outcome compared actual recorded intake to recommended intake. Secondary outcomes compared weight gain and body mass index (BMI) from diagnosis to time of survey.ResultsThere were no significant differences in macronutrient or micronutrient intake by sex or for patients supplementing their rations. Mean treatment length at time of survey was 20.7 weeks (95% CI: 16.5 to 24.8). A significantly higher proportion of women (8/8, 100%) met caloric requirements compared with men (9/20, 45.0%, p=0.010), but few participants met other macronutrient or micronutrient requirements, with no significant differences by sex or for patients supplementing their rations. From diagnosis to the time of the survey, participants averaged significant weight gain of 6.48 kg (95% CI: 3.87 to 9.10) and increased BMI of 2.47 kg/m2 (95% CI: 1.45 to 3.49; p=0.0001 for both). However, 50% (14/28) still had mild or more severe forms of malnutrition.ConclusionsThis cross-sectional survey of nutritional intake in patients undergoing TB treatment in a sanatorium setting demonstrates the difficulty in sufficiently meeting nutritional demands, even when providing nutritional support.

Determinants of Gender Disparity in Nutritional Intake among Children in Pakistan: Evidence from PDHS

The purpose of this study is to analyze early age malnutrition on a gender basis in Pakistan. Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (PDHS) 2012–13 data related to households’ characteristics that affect the nutrition of children less than 5 years of age are used for the estimation of results. Gender disparity (measured by girl malnourished in household/boy malnourished in a household) is constructed for the measurement of gender disparity in early age child nutrition. After synthesizing the PDHS data set, 2119 observations are used for regression results of gender disparity. Regression results are analyzed at the level of 5% confidence interval otherwise insignificant. egression results for gender disparity show that households in good socioeconomic status, a greater number of household members, a mother’s higher level of education, mother employment, and the male head of the household, causes a decrease in gender disparity in nutrition intake of children.

East-Greenland traditional nutrition: a reanalysis of the Høygaard et al. nutritional data (1936-1937)

Greenlandic traditional nutrition was unique in the arctic environment. The aim of the present study was to reanalyze the Høygaard et al. data, focusing on two micronutrients object of discussion, i.e., calcium and vitamin C. Høygaard et al. left Copenhagen in August 1936, and stayed in East-Greenland until August 1937. The members of the expedition recorded nutritional intake whilst residing in families. However, the nutritional intake was analyzed on a household level. In total 35 adults and 41 children participated. Median total energy expenditure in kcal.d−1 was estimated at 2978 and 2627 for male and female adults respectively, and 1997 for children and adolescents. Median (IQR) energy consumption in kcal.d−1 was 3881 (1568) for male and 2910 (882) for female adults. This was 2442 (857) and 2023 (1122) for male and female children and adolescents. Median (IQR) calcium intake in mg.d−1 was 555 (1110) for male and 484 (883) for female adults. This was 458 (747) and 358 (838) for male and female children and adolescents. Median (IQR) vitamin C intake in mg.d−1 was 79 (77) for male and 59 (56) for female adults. This was 44 (47) and 60 (52) for male and female children and adolescents. In this study, the importance of traditional foods in reaching an acceptable energy balance was emphasized, together with the confirmation of a low calcium intake in East-Greenland traditional dietary pattern, and the important role of algae consumption in Inuit traditional dietary pattern to avoid scurvy.

Effectiveness of Parental Assistance in Providing Food on Nutritional Intake Among Children with Malnutrition

Background: Prevalence of stunting continues to affect 21.3% of children aged <5 years worldwide. The problem of malnutrition in children is caused by several factors, such as poor access to nutritious food, recurrent infections, and inadequate practice of offering food and care for mothers and children during the first 1,000 days.Objectives: The purpose of the study was to know the effectiveness of feeding parenting style assistance to mothers of toddlers in increasing the nutritional intake of under-nutrition childrenMaterials and Methods: This study used a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test and post-test control group design approach. The population in this study was toddlers with malnutrition (according to weight/height). The sample size for each group was 35 mothers. The sample was divided into two groups. The first group was given parental assistance consisting of nutrition education and food processing guidance for the toddler for 3 months (the intervention group) and the second group was given health education about balanced nutrition for children under five (the control group). Collecting data had used a checklist of identity, nutritional status, and semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Data were analyzed using paired t-test, p-value <0.05 for the 95% confidence interval.Results: The nutritional intakes of children under five showed a significant difference between the group of mothers under five who were given intensive assistance (the intervention group) and the group that was only given nutrition education for children under five (the control group). The differences in nutritional intakes seen in macronutrients were the difference in calorie intake (p-value: 0.042; CI: 4.005-213.543) and protein intake (p-value: 0.040; CI: 0.197-8.065). The differences in micronutrient intakes were seen in the increase in consumption of vitamin E (p-value: 0.000; CI: 0.446-4.416), sodium (p-value: 0.000; CI: 61.859-193.741), potassium (p-value: 0.005; CI: 70.743-373.102), calcium (p-value: 0.000; CI: 51.851-137.863), and phosphor (p-value: 0.041; CI: 2.133-99.604).Conclusion: Food parenting assistance for mothers of toddlers was effective in increasing toddler nutrition

Barriers, Attitudes, and Influences Towards Dietary Intake Amongst Elite Rugby Union Players

Background: Dietary intakes can impact an athletes health and performance. Although evidence exists about what an athlete should eat, an athlete's nutritional intake is influenced by many factors. The limited research available suggests the main barriers preventing optimal nutritional intakes reported by athletes are lack of time, food accessibility, poor cooking skills, costs, taste, and time spent in “off-season.” Although these factors have been shown to influence dietary intake they remain relatively unexplored in Rugby Union. This study aimed to describe the nutritional influences on dietary intake amongst Rugby Union player's.Methods: This was a qualitative study utilising in person individual interviews with all participants. Participants were Rugby Union players (n = 30) for either a Super Rugby franchise or one of their development squads in New Zealand. Participant's undertook recorded face to face interviews, which were later transcribed. A thematic approach was used to code the transcripts by the primary coder and the themes were subsequently evaluated by the research team.Results: Childhood upbringing, organisational skills, time and food security also emerged as barriers. Body composition and sport nutrition knowledge emerged as both barriers and enablers to nutritional intake. Influence on performance was an enabler to optimal dietary intake. Fully professional rugby players have access to dietitians, whereas development and semi-professional rugby players only have limited if any access, and they were more likely to seek nutritional information via social media.Conclusion: This study suggests a need for greater nutrition education at developmental levels with an emphasis on affordable food choices, meal planning and skills for interpreting online nutrition information.