Body weight changes in elderly psychogeriatric nursing home residents

This study was undertaken to identify predictors of body weight change in nursing home patients with possible to severe dementia.

For 24 weeks, 108 elderly residents of a nursing home were followed. Body weight was measured every 2 weeks. Other anthropometric characteristics, dietary intake, food behavior restrictions, psychological characteristics, medical status, and use of medicines were measured at baseline. Dietary intake was measured with a combined 3-day food record and by observations during the hot meals. Food behavior restrictions were measured following the classification of Berkhout. Dependency was measured by a questionnaire (Care Index Geriatrics), which measures restrictions in cognitive, physical, and social functioning. A generalized linear mixed effects model was used to investigate weight changes over time. The model was adjusted for age and sex.

During the follow-up period, 26% of the participants lost and 22% gained at least 2 kg of body weight. Dependency (beta = -0.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.21, -0.01) and decreased appetite (beta = -2.17, 95% CI = -4.32, -0.01) were significantly associated with body weight loss, whereas body mass index (beta = 2.25, 95% CI = 1.98, 2.51) and intake of fat (beta = 0.07, 95% CI = 0.01, 0.15) were predictors of weight gain.

Dependency, body mass index, intake of fat, and decreased appetite are significant predictors of body weight changes.