NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF FEMALE NURSING HOME RESIDENTS: INDEPENDENT AND DEPENDENT EATERS.
Contributors: Pennsylvania State University.
Published: 1994
Number of pages: 210
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nutrition.
Description: As many as 25% of nursing home residents are eating dependent, yet generalizations about their nutritional status cannot currently be made. This cross-sectional study was designed to assess the nutritional status of 27 independent- and 24 dependent-eating nursing home residents.

Residents were characterized on medical, dietary intake, anthropometric, and psychosocial variables. Intake was calculated from seven day food records, inclusive of calories and nutrients from snacks and supplements. Anthropometric variables included body mass index, mid-arm circumference, mid-arm muscle area, and triceps skinfold. A psychosocial score was obtained by nurses' aides responses to the Multidimensional Observational Scale for Elderly Subjects. Factor and multiple regression analysis were used to examine a theoretical, explanatory model of nutritional status.

Independent eaters consumed more calories (1408 $\pm$ 141) than dependent eaters (1289 $\pm$ 141), when calories and nutrients from snacks were included. The Mean Adequacy Ratio (a composite score of nutrient intake) did not differ between the two groups. Yet, approximately 20% of the subjects consumed low amounts of iron, zinc, calcium, and Vitamin D, even when nutrients from supplements were considered. The dependent eaters had significantly lower values for all anthropometric measures. The overall poorer nutritional status of the dependent eater was related to characteristics besides a lower energy intake and included being immobile, a diagnosis of a confusional disorder, and receiving a pureed diet.

Multiple regression analyses of seven independent variables suggested by the literature showed that diet consistency (F = 12.870, p =.0008, R$\sp2$ =.202) and eating status (F = 8.978, p =.0044, R$\sp2$ =.145) explained the anthropometric measures. A bivariate equation containing eating status and the psychosocial score explained the dietary intake measures (F = 3.224, p =.0491, R$\sp2$ =.086).

These results provide additional evidence that nutritionists should target nursing home residents who have a diagnosis of confusional disorder for interventions which enhance and maintain eating independency. Facilities should be certain that pureed meals have an equivalent nutrient density to regular consistency meals. Residents who are already eating dependent are at risk for a decline in nutritional status.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 55-06, Section: B, page: 2161.

Thesis (PH.D.)--THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, 1994.

School code: 0176.