Effectiveness of mealtime interventions on nutritional outcomes for the elderly living in residential care: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Highlights • There is a recognised need to improve the nutrition of the elderly living in residential care. • This is the first systematic review of interventions aiming to improve mealtime practices, environment or experience. • Food snacks, increased choice, and improved dining environments showed some success in improving nutritional status. • Education and training in nutritional care for nursing staff also resulted in improved food intakes for residents in care. • Further studies are warranted to determine costs and long-term effectiveness of such approaches.