Assessing Body Composition and Dietary Intake of Nursing Home Residents (NHR): A Case for Concern

OBJECTIVES: Elderly are at the highest risk for COVID-19 infections. The risk is heightened among NHR for several reasons, including unhealthy body composition and poor nutrition. Previously, we showed high prevalence of osteosarcopenic adiposity (OSA; concomitant osteoporosis, sarcopenia and adiposity) in NRH. Objective of this study was to assess body composition and dietary intake of NHR in one Croatian nursing home. METHODS: Participants, n = 84 (81.2 ± 6.8 y), were 82.1% females. Body composition, assessed with bio-impedance, BIA-ACC (BioTekna®, Marcon, Italy), yielded fat, lean/muscle tissue and volumetric bone mineral density (BMD g/cm(3)). Dietary intake, estimated via 24-hour recall, was analyzed with “Nutrition” (Infosistem, d.d., Croatia). All NHR signed the informed consent. RESULTS: Both women and men were overweight with corresponding BMI of 29.6 ± 5.2 and 27.2 ± 3.2 kg/m(2) (P = 0.027). Women, compared to men, had higher body fat (42.1 ± 5.9% vs. 36.6 ± 5.4%; ranking as obese), but lower skeletal muscle (11.3 ± 3.3 kg vs. 17.3 ± 3.1 kg). The respective BMD (1.006 ± 0.012 vs. 1.018 ± 0.012 g/cm3) was also low (all P ≤ 0.001) influencing high OSA prevalence (>50%). There was no difference in energy and macronutrient intake between women and men. Protein (0.71 and 0.68 g/kg for women and men) and fiber (∼16 g/day) were below recommendation. Fat intake was ∼35% of energy, with high saturated fatty acids (∼14%); cholesterol was within recommendations. Most of the minerals (calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron) were below, while sodium and phosphorus were above recommendations for both women and men. About 42% women were taking vitamin supplements which increased the average intake above recommendations except for vitamin A. Men were below recommendations for all vitamins. CONCLUSIONS: High body fat and low muscle and bone mass leading to high prevalence of OSA, as well as poor dietary intake placed these NHR at higher risk for COVID-19. Their diet should be planned with higher nutrient-dense food, particularly protein and multiple minerals and vitamins, possibly through intake of fresh foods/vegetables and/or supplements. Personalized diets and exercise should be implemented to prevent further weight gain and improve muscle and bones, to render them less susceptible to COVID-19 infections. FUNDING SOURCES: None