Abstract P036: Poor Nutritional Intake and Malnutrition in Obese Patients with Heart Failure

Abstract

Introduction: Poor nutritional status and unintentional cachexia have been shown to have a strong association with survival in patients with heart failure (HF). However, there is currently a paucity of research describing the dietary patterns of obese patients with chronic HF. Objective: This study was done to identify the food and nutrient intake of the Pro-HEART trial participants and compare participant intake to national guidelines. Methods: Pro-HEART is a clinical trial designed to evaluate the short-term and long-term effects of a high protein vs. standard protein diet on body weight and adiposity and other health outcomes in overweight and obese patients with HF, complicated with diabetes and/or metabolic syndrome. Baseline food consumption of 77 participants was analyzed using a validated 3-Day Food Record. Results: On average, the participants were 58.1±10.3 years, male (74%), married (65%), Caucasian (49%). The average energy intake was 1358.6 ± 478.9; 58% exceeded the recommended amount of percent calories from fat, 73% exceeded the saturated fat recommendation (of 10% of daily calories), and 92% consumed too much sodium. Only 40% consumed the recommended amount of daily calories from carbohydrates. On average, participants consumed 0.68 ± 0.21 gm/kg of protein; only 9% consumed at least 1 gm/kg of protein as recommended. Less than 50% met the minimum recommended servings for folate, vitamin E, calcium and sodium (see Table). Conclusions: Our findings showed that overweight and obese patients with HF exceeded recommended intake of fat, saturated fats, and sodium. Likewise, data suggest that overweight and obese patients with HF are at risk for poor nutritional intake of key micronutrients and minerals essential for reducing the inflammatory and metabolic abnormalities associated with HF and confirm that patients who do not appear cachectic may still be at risk for malnutrition. Thus, the risk for poor nutritional intake should be considered in all HF patients, regardless of whether they appear malnourished or not.