HOMEFOOD randomized trial—beneficial effects of 6-month nutrition therapy on body weight and physical function in older adults at risk for malnutrition after hospital discharge

• Published in: European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
• Main Authors: Blöndal, Berglind Soffía, Geirsdóttir, Ólöf Guðný, Beck, Anne M., Halldórsson, Þórhallur Ingi, Jónsson, Pálmi V, Sveinsdottir, Kolbrun, Ramel, Alfons, Blondal, B. S., Halldorsson, T. I.
• Other Authors: Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition, Geriatric and Rehabilitation Services, Faculty of Medicine
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2022
• Subjects: Öldrunarlæknisfræði; Medicine (miscellaneous); Nutrition and Dietetics; SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being; Iceland
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11815/3855; https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-022-01195-2

Funding Information: The study was funded by the Icelandic Centre for Research (174250-051), the Research Fund of the University of Iceland, the Research Fund of Hrafnista, the Icelandic Society of Geriatrics, and the Helga Jonsdottir and Sigurlidi Kristjansson Geriatric Research Fund. The authors want to state that neither the above-mentioned funding entities nor the food companies were involved in study design, implementation, statistical analysis, and/or interpretation of the data. The above-mentioned funding sources were not involved in study design; data collection, analysis, interpretation of data, writing of the report, and had no restrictions regarding the submission of the report for publication. Publisher Copyright: © 2022, The Author(s). Background/objectives: Malnutrition is common among older adults. Dietary intervention studies in older adults aiming to improve anthropometrics measures and physical function have been inconsistent. We aimed to investigate the effects of nutrition therapy in combination with home delivered meals and oral nutritional supplements (ONS) in community-dwelling older adults discharged from hospital. Methods: A total of 106 participants (>65 years) were randomized into the intervention group (n = 53) and into the control group (n = 53). The intervention group received individual nutrition therapy (five in person visits and three phone calls) and freely delivered energy- and protein- rich foods, while the control group received standard care. Dietary intake, anthropometrics, and short physical performance battery (SPPB) were assessed at baseline and at endpoint. Results: Energy intake at baseline was similar in both groups (~1500 kcal at the hospital) but there was a significant increase in energy intake and body weight in the intervention group (+919 kcal/day and 1.7 kg, P < 0.001 in both cases) during the study period, compared to a significant decrease in both measures among controls (−815 kcal/day and −3.5 kg, P < 0.001 in both cases). SPPB score increased ...