Dietary fat intake and quality in long-term care residents in two cohorts assessed 10 years apart

Purpose To describe and compare detailed dietary fat intake, fat quality and associative factors between two measuring points 10 years apart of residents living in long-term care facilities, and to reflect how fat composition and fat quality corresponds to current nutrition recommendations. Methods In 2007 long-term care residents (n = 374) of 25 assisted-living facilities and nursing homes and in 2017-18 long-term care residents (n = 486) of 17 respective facilities in Helsinki metropolitan area were recruited for this study. Information on the residents' heights, demographic information and use of calcium and vitamin D supplementation were retrieved from medical records. Residents' clinical assessment included Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR), the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and questionnaire related to nutrition care. Participants' energy and fat intake were determined from 1--2-day food diaries kept by the ward nurses, and fat quality indicators calculated. Results Age, gender distribution, MNA score or body mass index did not differ between the two cohorts. Residents' cognitive status, subjective health and mobility were poorer in 2017 compared to 2007. Total fat and saturated fatty acid (SFA) intakes were higher and fat quality indicators lower in the 2017 cohort residents than in the 2007 cohort residents. Sugar intake, male gender, eating independently, eating larger amounts and not having dry mouth predicted higher SFA intake in the 2017 cohort. Conclusions The fat quality in long-term care residents in our study worsened in spite of official recommendations between the two measurement points.Peer reviewe

The cost effectiveness of personalized dietary advice to increase protein intake in older adults with lower habitual protein intake : a randomized controlled trial

Purpose To examine the cost effectiveness of dietary advice to increase protein intake on 6-month change in physical functioning among older adults. Methods In this multicenter randomized controlled trial, 276 community-dwelling older adults with a habitual protein intake = 1.2 g/kg aBW/d (PROT, n = 96), Intervention 2; similar advice and in addition advice to consume protein (en)rich(ed) foods within half an hour after usual physical activity (PROT + TIMING, n = 89), or continue the habitual diet with no advice (CON, n = 91). Primary outcome was 6-month change in 400-m walk time. Secondary outcomes were 6-month change in physical performance, leg extension strength, grip strength, body composition, self-reported mobility limitations and quality of life. We evaluated cost effectiveness from a societal perspective. Results Compared to CON, a positive effect on walk time was observed for PROT; - 12.4 s (95%CI, - 21.8 to - 2.9), and for PROT + TIMING; - 4.9 s (95%CI, - 14.5 to 4.7). Leg extension strength significantly increased in PROT (+ 32.6 N (95%CI, 10.6-54.5)) and PROT + TIMING (+ 24.3 N (95%CI, 0.2-48.5)) compared to CON. No significant intervention effects were observed for the other secondary outcomes. From a societal perspective, PROT was cost effective compared to CON. Conclusion Dietary advice to increase protein intake to >= 1.2 g/kg aBW/d improved 400-m walk time and leg strength among older adults with a lower habitual protein intake. From a societal perspective, PROT was considered cost-effective compared to CON. These findings support the need for re-evaluating the protein RDA of 0.8 g/kg BW/d for older adults.Peer reviewe

Effect of Milk Fat Globule Membrane- and Protein-Containing Snack Product on Physical Performance of Older Women—A Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction: Sarcopenia is common in people 70+ years of age, and its prevalence increases with further aging. Insufficient energy and protein intake accelerates muscle loss, whereas sufficient protein intake and milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) may suppress age-associated deterioration of muscle mass and strength. Our objective was to test whether a snack product high in MFGM and protein would improve physical performance in older women. Methods: In this 12-week randomized controlled trial, women ≥ 70 years, with protein intake < 1.2 g/body weight (BW) kg/day (d), were randomized into intervention (n = 51) and control (n = 50) groups. The intervention group received a daily snack product containing ≥ 23 g of milk protein and 3.6–3.9 g of MFGM. Both groups were advised to perform a five-movement exercise routine. The primary outcome was the change in the five-time-sit-to-stand test between the groups. Secondary outcomes included changes in physical performance, cognition, hand grip strength, and health-related quality of life. Results: The change in the five-time-sit-to-stand test did not differ between the intervention and the control groups. The change in the total Short Physical Performance Battery score differed significantly, favoring the intervention group (p = 0.020), and the balance test showed the largest difference. Protein intake increased significantly in the intervention group (+14 g) compared to the control group (+2 g). No other significant changes were observed. Conclusions: Our results indicate that the combination of MFGM and protein may improve the physical performance-related balance of older women

Dietary fat intake and quality in long-term care residents in two cohorts assessed 10 years apart

Abstract Purpose: To describe and compare detailed dietary fat intake, fat quality and associative factors between two measuring points 10 years apart of residents living in long-term care facilities, and to reflect how fat composition and fat quality corresponds to current nutrition recommendations. Methods: In 2007 long-term care residents (n = 374) of 25 assisted-living facilities and nursing homes and in 2017–18 long-term care residents (n = 486) of 17 respective facilities in Helsinki metropolitan area were recruited for this study. Information on the residents’ heights, demographic information and use of calcium and vitamin D supplementation were retrieved from medical records. Residents’ clinical assessment included Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR), the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and questionnaire related to nutrition care. Participants’ energy and fat intake were determined from 1--2-day food diaries kept by the ward nurses, and fat quality indicators calculated. Results: Age, gender distribution, MNA score or body mass index did not differ between the two cohorts. Residents’ cognitive status, subjective health and mobility were poorer in 2017 compared to 2007. Total fat and saturated fatty acid (SFA) intakes were higher and fat quality indicators lower in the 2017 cohort residents than in the 2007 cohort residents. Sugar intake, male gender, eating independently, eating larger amounts and not having dry mouth predicted higher SFA intake in the 2017 cohort. Conclusions: The fat quality in long-term care residents in our study worsened in spite of official recommendations between the two measurement points

Improving anatomical stature estimation method:the relationship between living stature and intervertebral disc thickness

Abstract Anatomical stature estimation methods reconstruct stature for skeletal specimens by adding up the heights of skeletal elements contributing to stature. In addition, these estimations factor in a certain amount of soft tissue known as “soft tissue correction”. Our study focuses on the relationship between living stature and one of the major soft tissue contributors to stature: the intervertebral disc thickness/height. The purpose of this study was to clarify whether intervertebral disc thickness is greater in tall individuals and whether there is a linear correlation between stature and intervertebral disc height. To conduct this study, we utilized a subsample of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort of 1966 (n = 12,058) with known stature. We measured vertebral heights and intervertebral disc heights from low back MRI examination performed at the age of 46 years (n = 200). All subjects were considered healthy with no spinal injuries or pathologies. Our results clearly indicate that stature and intervertebral disc height have positive, statistically significant association. According to our results it is advisable to take into account the individual’s skeletal height when soft tissue corrections for anatomical stature estimations are performed. Further studies utilizing full body MRI are needed to produce more accurate soft tissue corrections

Correction to: The cost effectiveness of personalized dietary advice to increase protein intake in older adults with lower habitual protein intake: a randomized controlled trial

In section “Change in 400‑m walk time”, second sentence should read as A intervention effect in the same direction was observed in PROT + TIMING, but not statistically significant; – 4.9 s (95% CI, – 14.5 to 4.7) (Table 3)