Abstract
Oral nutritional supplements (ONS) are high-energy and protein-rich nutrition drinks that are commonly prescribed to individuals with compromised nutritional status. Aged care residents requiring texture-modified diets are exposed to poor oral intake and malnutrition. This study aimed to investigate the dietary intake and nutritional status of residents consuming texture-modified diets with and without ONS. This multicentre cross-sectional study included 85 residents consuming texture-modified diets (86.0 ± 8.7 y; n = 46 requiring ONS and n = 39 without ONS). A one-day dietary record was completed using a validated visual plate waste estimation method. To determine the adequacy, nutrition intake was then calculated using FoodWorks (Xyris Ltd., Brisbane, Australia) and compared to the recommended dietary intake for Australia and New Zealand. The Mini-Nutritional Assessment Short Form was collected to assess nutritional status. Residents receiving ONS had significantly higher energy, protein, carbohydrates and fat intake than those who did not consume ONS (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found in saturated fat, fibre or sodium intake. With the administration of ONS, residents were able to meet their protein requirement but fell short of their energy and carbohydrates requirements. Both groups had inadequate fibre intake and a high saturated fat intake. A total of 48% of the residents were at risk of malnutrition and 38% were malnourished. Aged care residents requiring texture-modified diets are at high risk of malnutrition as a result of inadequate dietary intake. Administration of ONS may be an effective strategy to optimise nutrition intake.
Highlights
Texture-modified diets (TMDs) are a common dietary intervention used in aged care facilities for residents who struggle with chewing or swallowing [1]
Three medical conditions were found to be significantly associated with the use of Oral nutritional supplements (ONS), including diabetes, stroke and thyroid dysfunction
Aged care residents on TMDs are at higher risk of inadequate nutrition intake and malnutrition
Summary
Texture-modified diets (TMDs) are a common dietary intervention used in aged care facilities for residents who struggle with chewing or swallowing (dysphagia) [1]. Despite IDDSI providing standardised guidance for healthcare providers with regards to the texture and consistency requirements of each TMD level, the nutrition requirements still need to be addressed. Recent reviews suggest that TMD consumers have significantly lower energy intake and higher risk of malnutrition compared to those having regular diets [9,10]. A New Zealand study reported that aged care has a significantly higher prevalence of malnutrition and higher risk of dysphagia compared to older adults from hospital or community settings [13]. Several studies have reported that aged care residents consuming TMDs had compromised nutrition intake as a result of poor oral intake and inadequate meal portions [7,14,15]
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