Effectiveness of Community-Based Intervention to Improve Nutritional Status and Frailty among Older Adults

Background and Objectives: Malnutrition is a very frequent condition in the frailest groups of the population, especially in elderly subjects. Malnutrition, frailty and sarcopenia in the elderly were associated with mortality and morbidity. The aim of this study was to conduct 12-week nutrition and exercise intervention program for older adults in the community, and to analyze the proportion of malnutrition risks and the influencing factors of malnutrition in those subjects. Methods: We recruited participants aged over 65 years old at the community center in Hsinchu city, Taiwan. After receiving their informed consent, they engaged in a 12-week nutrition-exercise intervention project. We also collected data from MNA-SF, FRAIL scale questionnaires. The physical strength was assessed by using 8-foot up-and-go test and grip strength. Dietary, physical and anthropometric assessment were also be performed and collected at 0, 12 and 24-week. Results: Thirty-five subjects completed the project. The results of this study showed that there were 22% subjects with malnutrition risk in the beginning, 78% within normal nutrition, 17% for frailty, and 46% for pre-frail. After 12 weeks of nutrition-exercise intervention, and 12 weeks of maintenance, the risk of malnutrition was decreased to 9%. Normal, frailty and pre-frail were 92%, 6% and 34% respectively. Their nutritional status and the condition of frailty were improved, and those results did not decline after the intervention stopped. The average walking speed was increased by 0.8 s/m at 24-week compared to 0-week, and the average grip strength was no significant differences. The result was a significant increase at the 0 week and the 12 week (p