3 research outputs found
Measurements of daily energy intake and total energy expenditure in people with dementia in care homes: the use of wearable technology.
Objectives: To estimate daily total energy expenditure (TEE) using a physical activity monitor, combined
with dietary assessment of energy intake to assess the relationship between daily energy expenditure and
patterns of activity with energy intake in people with dementia living in care homes. Design and setting:
A cross-sectional study in care homes in the UK. Participants: Twenty residents with confirmed dementia
diagnosis were recruited from two care homes that specialised in dementia care. Measurements: A
physical activity monitor (Sensewear TM Armband , Body Media, Pittsburgh, PA) was employed to
objectively determine total energy expenditure, sleep duration and physical activity. The armband was
placed around the left upper triceps for up to 7 days. Energy intake was determined by weighing all food
and drink items over 4 days (3 weekdays and 1 weekend day) including measurements of food wastage.
Results: The mean age was 78.7 (SD ± 11.8) years, Body Mass Index (BMI) 23.0 (SD ± 4.2) kg/m2
; 50%
were women. Energy intake (mean 7.4; SD ± 2.6) MJ/d) was correlated with TEE (mean 7.6; SD ± 1.8 MJ/d;
r=0.49, p<0.05). Duration of sleeping ranged from 0.4-12.5 (mean 6.1) hrs/d and time spent lying down
was 1.3-16.0 (8.3) hrs/d. On average residents spent 17.9 (6.3-23.4) hrs/d undertaking sedentary activity.
TEE was correlated with BMI (r=0.52, p<0.05) and body weight (r=0.81, p<0.001) but inversely related to
sleep duration (r=-0.59, p<0.01) and time lying down (r=-0.62, p<0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis
revealed that after taking BMI, sleep duration and time spent lying down into account, TEE was no longer
correlated with energy intake. Conclusions: The results show the extent to which body mass, variable
activity and sleep patterns may be contributing to TEE and together with reduced energy intake, energy
requirements were not satisfied. Thus wearable technology has the potential to offer real-time
monitoring to provide appropriate nutrition management that is more person-centred to prevent weight
loss in dementi