Can Protein Intake be Increased by Offering Protein-enriched Foods and Drinks?

Rationale: Due to inactivity, elderly are prone to lose muscle mass. With an increased protein intake, muscle mass might be maintained. The current recommendation for protein intake for elderly is the same as for younger adults, but researchers and geriatricians appeal for a higher recommended protein intake to maintain health and function. One way to reach a higher intake is by providing protein-enriched foods. Because of concerns that these foods are more satiating, careful monitoring of protein intake after introducing these foods is warranted.

Objective: To investigate whether a protein-enriched daily menu is acceptable and effective in increasing protein intake in elderly in a residential care home up to an intake of 1,2 gram/ kg body weight per day.

Study design: Dietary intake will be monitored before and after introducing a protein-enriched daily menu. The menu will be provided for 10 days to all residents of the care home. For residents who give consent, intake will be recorded by trained research assistants and nurses on 2 consecutive days before the pilot and on days 9 and 10 of the pilot. After the pilot residents will return to their regular menus.

Study population: The study population consists of elderly men and women (aged 65 or older) living in a care home in Wageningen, the Netherlands.

Intervention: A protein-enriched daily menu for 10 days.

Main study parameters/endpoints: Protein intake and resident satisfaction with the menu.

Inclusion criteria

• Aged 65 or older
• living in care home Nudehof
• able to give consent
• without dietary protein restrictions

Exclusion criteria

• cognitive impaired
• having dementia
• having dysphagia
• receiving only tube feeding
• known kidney disease
• having food allergies that exclude them from having the protein-enriched products
• following a low protein diet or a diet low in sodium
• receiving palliative care