The nutritional status of elderly inpatients with particular reference to zinc
The nutritional status of elderly inpatients with particular reference to zinc
The aim of this study was to examine in detail by chemical analysis the nutritional status of hospitalised elderly subjects. Three consecutive studies were undertaken. The Hospital Meals study analyzed the nutrient content of the menu selections chosen by patients in an acute geriatric ward, or by others acting on their behalf. A possible shortfall in dietary provision was identified, the meals providing approximately half the recommended daily dietary allowances for zinc and copper, less than the recommended daily amounts for iron and magnesium, but more than adequate amounts of energy, protein, calcium and phosphorus, assuming all the food was eaten. The Inpatient Nutritional status study of inpatient nutritional status, used duplicate diet analysis, metabolic balance and biochemical indices to examine the energy, nitrogen, zinc, copper, iron, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium status of twenty one elderly inpatients in a stable medical condition continuing customary activity. Metabolic balance studies were undertaken on five female patients. Energy intake was less than two thirds that currently recommended and significantly lower than a comparable healthy elderly group studied by the same methods. Seventeen of nineteen patients were only eating enough to meet their predicted basal metabolic rate and none met the WHO `survival requirement'. Protein intake was close to official recommendations, though the adequacy of intake was considered borderline. Copper intake was lower than recommended and less than the comparable healthy elderly, being accompanied by low levels of leucocyte copper. Iron intake was less than two thirds recommended with four of five females in negative balance. Biochemical iron deficiency was present in over half those studied. Calcium intake was in excess of the current UK recommendation but less than that of a comparable healthy elderly group and all five females studied were in negative metabolic balance. Magnesium intake was low, yet metabolic equilibrium was observed in the small number studied. Phosphorus intake was low and negative metabolic balance seen. Zinc intake was less than half that recommended and less than two thirds that of a comparable healthy elderly group in metabolic equilibrium. Leucocyte zinc levels were low, particularly in those with healing problems and metabolic balance was negative in those studied. The 65Zn study examined zinc absorption by use of the radioisotope 65Zn and whole body counting techniques. Results from a healthy elderly group and a group of elderly inpatients with healing problems revealed low zinc intake and low leucocyte zinc levels in the latter group but no significant difference in fractional gastrointestinal absorption.
University of Southampton
1990
Thomas, Anita Jane
(1990)
The nutritional status of elderly inpatients with particular reference to zinc.
University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.
Record type:
Thesis
(Doctoral)
Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine in detail by chemical analysis the nutritional status of hospitalised elderly subjects. Three consecutive studies were undertaken. The Hospital Meals study analyzed the nutrient content of the menu selections chosen by patients in an acute geriatric ward, or by others acting on their behalf. A possible shortfall in dietary provision was identified, the meals providing approximately half the recommended daily dietary allowances for zinc and copper, less than the recommended daily amounts for iron and magnesium, but more than adequate amounts of energy, protein, calcium and phosphorus, assuming all the food was eaten. The Inpatient Nutritional status study of inpatient nutritional status, used duplicate diet analysis, metabolic balance and biochemical indices to examine the energy, nitrogen, zinc, copper, iron, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium status of twenty one elderly inpatients in a stable medical condition continuing customary activity. Metabolic balance studies were undertaken on five female patients. Energy intake was less than two thirds that currently recommended and significantly lower than a comparable healthy elderly group studied by the same methods. Seventeen of nineteen patients were only eating enough to meet their predicted basal metabolic rate and none met the WHO `survival requirement'. Protein intake was close to official recommendations, though the adequacy of intake was considered borderline. Copper intake was lower than recommended and less than the comparable healthy elderly, being accompanied by low levels of leucocyte copper. Iron intake was less than two thirds recommended with four of five females in negative balance. Biochemical iron deficiency was present in over half those studied. Calcium intake was in excess of the current UK recommendation but less than that of a comparable healthy elderly group and all five females studied were in negative metabolic balance. Magnesium intake was low, yet metabolic equilibrium was observed in the small number studied. Phosphorus intake was low and negative metabolic balance seen. Zinc intake was less than half that recommended and less than two thirds that of a comparable healthy elderly group in metabolic equilibrium. Leucocyte zinc levels were low, particularly in those with healing problems and metabolic balance was negative in those studied. The 65Zn study examined zinc absorption by use of the radioisotope 65Zn and whole body counting techniques. Results from a healthy elderly group and a group of elderly inpatients with healing problems revealed low zinc intake and low leucocyte zinc levels in the latter group but no significant difference in fractional gastrointestinal absorption.
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Published date: 1990
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Local EPrints ID: 462003
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/462003
PURE UUID: 1609eaea-830d-4092-997e-4e49bc3be75c
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Date deposited: 04 Jul 2022 18:59
Last modified: 04 Jul 2022 18:59
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Author:
Anita Jane Thomas
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