Protein intake in hospitalized older people with and without increased risk of malnutrition

Eur J Clin Nutr. 2018 Jun;72(6):917-919. doi: 10.1038/s41430-018-0171-5. Epub 2018 May 15.

Abstract

A protein intake of ≥1.2 grams per kg body weight (g/kg) is recommended for ill older adults. In a cross-sectional study, we investigated if this recommendation was met by 62 hospitalized adults of 65 years and older in a Dutch hospital. We compared protein intake between two subgroups based on the risk of malnutrition and the prescribed diet: a low risk group (n = 31) receiving a standard hospital diet and a medium/high risk group (n = 31) receiving a protein-enriched diet. A 24h-recall was performed to calculate protein intake per patient. Protein intake was on average 1.2 g/kg in the medium/high risk group and 0.9 g/kg in the low-risk group. Seventeen patients reached a protein intake of ≥1.2 g/kg. Fifteen patients had a protein intake below 0.8 g/kg. It seems sensible to consider providing a protein-enriched diet to all older hospitalized adults, regardless of their risk of malnutrition.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cohort Studies
  • Diet, High-Protein / statistics & numerical data*
  • Dietary Proteins* / administration & dosage
  • Dietary Proteins* / therapeutic use
  • Energy Intake / physiology*
  • Female
  • Hospitalization
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Malnutrition / epidemiology
  • Malnutrition / prevention & control*
  • Netherlands
  • Risk

Substances

  • Dietary Proteins