|
|
When we eat, do we feed ourselves?
R. Martínez Sellares, M. Gonzano, E.
Román, S. Rosende, M. García
SUMMARY
Introduction: “The
function of food is not just to main-tain life, it is to maintain
optimum health: it is not only to ensure the perpetuation of the
species, it is not only to allow work, but to allow maximum performance
in all those noble activities that can be expected from the human
being. [...] to build a firm and solid foundation against all diseases.”
(L. Randoin)
It is important to point out
that nutritional deficien-cies are suffered more frequently by the
elderly than by any other group and with much more se-rious effects.
At the home for the elderly Funda-ción Santa Eulalia, we
are aware that the elderly persons we look after constitute a group
at risk of malnutrition due to psychological and physical factors.
This is a report of an actual assessment of the die-tary con-ditions
at our organization to determine if it is the correct one or if
it requires any interven-tion and improvement.
This prospective study was developed among the 91 residents at Fundación
Santa Eulalia and, for that reason, it was divided up into two phases:
In the first phase, an evalu-ation of the nutritional status of
the patients was conducted by means of the assessment tool MNA as
well as a revision of possible changes and/or supplements in the
diet; over thesecond phase, we have identified all po-ssible variations
in the nutritional status. Through our professional work beside
the aged popula-tion, we have confirmed that this group must be
considered under risk of malnourishment. We know, at the same time,
that adequate nutrition helps to avoid diseases or to reduce their
effects.
Hypothesis: A balanced diet in elderly people with
physi-cal disabilities does not guarantee an appropriate nutrition-al
status.
Methods: In order to conduct this study, two phases
were designed: Phase 1. Identification of the nutritional status
from the parameters recor-ded in the evaluation tests and the type
of diet and the quality of the food provided to the resi-dents.
Phase 2. After all data gathered during the first phase are cross-examined,
nutritional intervention and/or supplementary measures are taken
over a period of 6 months. Subsequently, a new assessment of the
nutritional status of the residents is conducted (using the same
para-meters that were used at baseline).
Results: The study population are the 91 elderly
persons residing at Fundación Santa Eulalia. The ranges consi-dered
in the evaluation of the nutri-tional status are, according to the
MNA test, the following: a) satisfactory nutritional status (between
24-30 points): 48% in February 2003 vs. 52.3% in January 2004. b)
risk of malnutrition (between 17-23.5 points): 38% in February 2003
vs. 30.23% in January 2004. c) malnutrition (less than 17 points):
14% in February 2003 vs. 17.44% in January 2004.
Conclusions: Those persons who show some physical
of psychological deterioration are in need of more intense obser-vation
and nutritional support. After the study is comple-ted, the initial
hypothesis is clearly proved: “The intake of a ba-lanced diet
by elderly people with physical of psycholog-ical disabilities does
not guarantee an adequate nutritional status”.
KEY WORDS
Elderly, intake, diet, nutritional
status.
|
