Nutritional supplementation in older adults: Pleasantness, preference and selection of sip-feeds

Authors: McAlpine S.J.1; Harper J.2; McMurdo M.E.T.2; Bolton-Smith C.3; Hetherington M.M.1

Source: British Journal of Health Psychology, Volume 8, Number 1, February 2003 , pp. 57-66(10)

Publisher: British Psychological Society

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Abstract:

Objectives: Malnourishment is common in older adults, and nutritional supplementation is used to improve body weight and well-being. Clinical reports suggest, however, that patients routinely reject sip-feeds. The present study examined the following questions: whether sip-feeds are less preferred and less likely to be selected than other energy-dense foods in healthy elders; and whether eating alone further reduces intake relative to eating in a social setting.

Methods: Twenty-one healthy older adults (aged 60-79 years) attended the laboratory on three occasions. Subjects rated six different flavours of sip-feed and then rated the pleasantness of the taste of the favoured flavour against five other energy-dense familiar foods/drinks. Intake of these foods was measured when subjects ate alone or in a group of familiar others.

Results: Favourite flavour of sip-feed compared well with other more familiar foods and was selected as part of a snack. Snack intake increased by 60% when consumed in a group setting compared with eating alone.

Conclusions: The study suggests that sip-feeds are rated as pleasant and selected by free-living elders. Rejection of sip-feeds in hospitalized elders may relate more to loss of appetite than to the taste preference for sip-feeds, and that eating alone rather than in groups of familiar others is likely to compound eating problems.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1348/135910703762879200

Affiliations: 1: Department of Psychology, University of Dundee, UK 2: Ageing and Health, Department of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, UK 3: Cardiovascular Epidemiology Unit, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, UK

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