Onveranderbaar gewichtig? Op zoek naar vermijdbare ondervoeding

Abstract

Malnutrition still is highly prevalent among nursing home residents according to the LPZ (Landelijke Prevalentiemeting Zorgproblemen). A multidisciplinary guideline regarding appropriate fluid and food supply and projects to improve feeding problems in nursing homes obviously had little or no effect on the prevalence of malnutrition among nursing home residents. The LPZ findings are discussed in this article as is the evidence for the multidisciplinary guideline. It is concluded that the expectation of a decline of the prevalence of malnutrition is not based on sound research findings and therefore is to optimistic. The high prevalence of end-stages of several non-curable diseases makes a substantial percentage of malnutrition among nursing home residents probably 'unavoidable'. New research should focus on identification of nursing home residents who suffer from 'avoidable' malnutrition and on further development of already proven and promising interventions like 'family style mealtimes'