Two months of protein–rich dietary recommendations for older patients at risk of malnutrition improves nutritional status, and decreases body fat percentage

Aim: It is aimed to evaluate the impact of protein – rich dietary (PRD) recommendations on the body composition of older patients at malnutrition risk (MR) in this study. Materials and Methods: Patients ≥65 years of age, without cognitive problems, diabetes, renal diseases, admitted to Internal Medicine Nutrition Outpatient Clinic consecutively were screened, and 30 patients in normal nutritional status (NS), 30 patients at MR were planned to be enrolled. Body compositions, NS, and anthropometric measurements were performed. Patients at MR were trained for PRD recommendations. Evaluations were repeated in both groups after two months. Results: Sixty older patients were enrolled (mean age 72.5 ± 6.2; Female / Male: %63.3 / %36.7). After two months; in the group at MR (n = 30); there was a significant decrease in mean body fat ratio (P = 0.036), increase in body water ratio and Mini Nutritional Assessmnet – Short Form (MNA-SF) score (P = 0.020 and P < 0.001). Mean body weight (BW) , body mass index (BMI), waist – hip circumference, fat mass, fat free mass (FFM) and calf circumference were similar. In the normal NS group (n = 30) mean BW, waist – hip circumference, fat mass, FFM, calf circumference values significantly decreased (P = 0.001, P = 0.021, P = 0.016, P = 0.025, P = 0.002, P = 0.017, respectively), and BMI, fat ratio, body water and MNA – SF scores were similar. Conclusion: In the group at MR, PRD recommendations improved NS, and fat ratio decreased. In patients given general nutritional recommendations with normal NS; BW, waist – hip circumference, fat mass, FFM, and calf circumference decreased. PRD recommendations should be given for the care of appropriate older patients. Amaç: Bu çalışmada; proteinden zengin beslenme (PZB) programının malnütrisyon riski (MR) altındaki yaşlı hastalarda vücut kompozisyonuna etkisinin araştırılması amaçlanmıştır. Gereç ve Yöntem: İç Hastalıkları Diyet polikliniğine başvuran, kognitif sorunları, diyabeti ve renal hastalığı olmayan ≥65 yaş bireyler taranarak, çalışmaya normal nütrisyonel durum (ND)’da 30 yaşlı, MR altında 30 yaşlı alınması planlandı. Vücut kompozisyonu, ND, antropometrik değerlendirmeler yapıldı. Malnütrisyon riski altındaki bireylere PZB programı eğitimi verildi. İki aylık program sonrasında tüm değerlendirmeler her iki grupta tekrarlandı. Bulgular: Çalışmaya 60 yaşlı dahil edildi (yaş ortalaması 72,5 ± 6,2; Kadın / Erkek: %63,3 / %36,7). İkinci ay sonunda MR altındaki grupta (n = 30): ortalama vü