Open AccessDIETARY INTAKE IN A GROUP OF INSTITUTIONALISED ELDERLY AND THE EFFECT OF A FIBRE SUPPLEMENTATION PROGRAMME ON NUTRIENT INTAKE AND WEIGHT GAIN
Author(s) -
Baghurst K.I.,
Hope A.K.,
Down E.C.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
community health studies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.946
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1753-6405
pISSN - 0314-9021
DOI - 10.1111/j.1753-6405.1985.tb00471.x
Subject(s) - nutrient , medicine , bowel function , nutritional supplementation , dietary fibre , zoology , nutrient density , biology , food science , ecology
As part of a long‐term study of the effects of a dietary fibre supplementation programme on bowel function in a group of institutionalised elderly, various aspects of nutritional status were assessed before, and three, six and twelve months after introducing a fibre supplementation programme. Mean dietary intakes were satisfactory throughout the programme, although some individuals had intakes well below recommended levels for certain nutrients. The fibre supplementation programme not only improved bowel function, but also improved the nutrient density of the diet. Despite a slight increase in total energy intake, supplementation did not increase mean body weights in the group. Trace element status was not adversely affected by the supplementation programme.