Abstract
Objective. In this study, we focus on elderly people (≥70 years old) benefiting from a home delivery meal service as part of a social welfare program. We aimed to: (i) assess the gap between the recommended and actual nutritional intake in this population and (ii) study the relationship between the intake of nutrients and the variables characterizing the participants’ health and nutritional status. Design. A dietary survey (24-hour record) was conducted during a home interview, with 64 people receiving a home delivery meal service (75% women; 70–97 years old). At the same time, the participants answered questionnaires assessing their nutritional and health status. Results. Our data showed that the consumption of 70 to 80% participants was not sufficient for reaching the nutritional recommendations for energy and macronutrients. Additionally, the data showed that the lower the energy and protein intakes, the higher the risk of malnutrition. In addition, one third of the participants were both overweight or obese and at risk of undernutrition or undernourished. Our study demonstrated that the heavier the person, the more difficult it was for them to meet the nutritional recommendations based on kilograms of body weight. Finally, individuals receiving two to three delivered meals per day had higher energy and protein intakes than those receiving a single meal. Conclusion. These results suggest that it is important that home meal delivery companies improve the quality of their meals and service so that their recipients can better meet nutritional recommendations.
Highlights
With advancing age, the onset of physical and/or cognitive disabilities may lead older adults to seek help in activities of daily living
Weight status (BMI) was significantly associated with total daily nutrient intakes (TDIs) and daily nutrient intakes relative to body weight (DNIs), except for total daily energy intake
Energy and protein intakes, both TDIs and DNIs, were all significantly and positively associated with the number of meals delivered per day
Summary
The onset of physical and/or cognitive disabilities may lead older adults to seek help in activities of daily living. In the home, this assistance is essentially focused on shopping or meal preparation [1], and it can be provided by a family member (child, spouse) or a professional caregiver (household helper, life assistant). In the study conducted by Ponza, (1996), which included 818 beneficiaries of an American home-delivered meal service, 44% of beneficiaries did not meet one-third of the energy recommendations and 14% did not meet one-third of the protein recommendations [21]
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