Abstract
Background: Nursing home residents may be offered food and drinks with a high content of added sugars to increase their energy intake. Objective: To analyse the influence of ‘‘empty calories’’ on the nutrient density, energy intake and body mass index of elderly Danish nursing home residents. Design: The nutrient intake of 104 residents aged 83 (80–85) years was assessed using 4 day dietary records. Results: Twenty-seven (26%) residents had an intake of added sugars B10E%, 41 (39%) between 10 and 20E%, and 36 (35%) ]20E%. A significant decrease in nutrient density for dietary .fibre, vitamins A, D, E, thiamine, B6, folate and B12, and the minerals iron, zinc and iodine was observed as sugar concentration rose across the three groups. A negative relation was found between high levels of added sugars and intake of energy (pB0.05). Conclusions: A high intake of added sugars may adversely influence the intake of essential nutrients, and should be restricted in the diet of elderly nursing home residents, and be replaced by food and drinks with a high content of energy and micronutrients. Keywords: Empty calories, energy intake, micronutrients.
Highlights
Studies among children have shown that many have a high intake of added sugars, and as the dietary content of added sugars rises, densities of several essential nutrients decline [1], and the body mass index (BM I) and frequency of obesity increase [2]
Many nursing home residents suffer from eating dependency, chewing and swallowing problems, and low body mass index (BM I) [4] and, may be offered food and drinks with a high content of added sugars to increase energy intake
The purpose of this study was to examine the in uence of added sugars on the nutrient density, energy intake and BM I of elderly D anish nursing home residents
Summary
Studies among children have shown that many have a high intake of added sugars, and as the dietary content of added sugars rises, densities of several essential nutrients decline [1], and the body mass index (BM I) and frequency of obesity increase [2]. People residing in nursing homes comprise another group that may have a high intake of added sugars. Old people are potentially at risk of low micronutrient intakes and status because energy requirements decline with age, while most micronutrient requirements remain unchanged [3]. Many nursing home residents suffer from eating dependency, chewing and swallowing problems, and low body mass index (BM I) [4] and, may be offered food and drinks with a high content of added sugars (and fat) to increase energy intake. The intake of desserts and cakes in general seems to be higher than among free-living old people [5]
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