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Increasing the Energy and Nutrient Density of the Home‐Delivered Lunch Meal Improves 24‐Hour Dietary Intakes in Older Adults
Author(s) -
Silver Heidi J,
Castellanos Victoria H,
Cleveland Allison,
Burks Anne L,
Dietrich Mary S
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.6.a1068-d
Subject(s) - meal , calorie , micronutrient , medicine , nutrient , crossover study , nutrient density , food science , ingredient , zoology , energy density , biology , ecology , physics , alternative medicine , pathology , theoretical physics , placebo
As food intake declines with aging, older adults develop energy and nutrient inadequacies. It is important to design practical approaches to combat insufficient dietary intakes to decrease risk for acute and chronic diseases, illness and injury. This is the first study to determine the effects of enhancing the energy and protein density of the regular home‐delivered lunch meal (HDM) on meal and 24‐hour dietary intakes. We manipulated the nutrient density of vegetable and starch items served in the HDM by reducing water contents, altering ingredient proportions or substituting ingredients higher in calories, protein and key micronutrients. The type and gram weight of food items was held constant. In a randomized crossover counterbalanced design, 45 adults aged 67–106 years received weighed versions of the regular and enhanced HDM on subsequent weeks. Breakfast and dinner intakes were assessed by diet recall. There were no interaction effects on lunch or 24‐hour intakes by age, gender, BMI, functional status or order of meal presentation. Consumption of the enhanced HDM increased lunch energy intakes by 86%, P <.001. Average 24‐hour energy intakes increased by 453 kcals (from 1423 ± 427 to 1876 ± 541 kcals), P <.001, despite a modest caloric compensation at the dinner meal from 47% to 40% of 24‐hour intakes. Consumption of the enhanced HDM also increased intakes of protein, omega‐3 fatty acids, vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, E, magnesium, iron and selenium (Ps <.05). Altering the energy and nutrient density of select HDM items is an effective strategy to improve dietary intakes of community dwelling older adults. Supported by Grant #2003‐160 Retirement Research Foundation.