Hypophagia among hospitalized elderly

A prospective study was done in 21 hospitalized medical patients to determine the effects of age and gender on food intake. From precise weighing of food served and uneaten, macronutrients and micronutrients ingested during the hospital stay were determined. Even though the hospital diet served was adequate in energy and protein, 38% of the patients ingested less than 65% of their nutritional requirements, with a higher percentage of those with inadequate intake among the elderly than among the young (28% vs. 10%). Patients over 65 years of age ingested less energy and protein than those under 65 years of age (1,167 vs. 1,967 kcal, p less than .01; 47 vs. 78 gm, p less than .05). The gender of the patients had no influence on food intake. More than 60% of the medical patients, especially the elderly, had an inadequate intake of micronutrients: folate, 100% of the elderly vs. 93% of the young; zinc, 90% vs. 64%; magnesium, 90% vs. 36%; and vitamin B-6, 90% vs. 64%. Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that age and body weight on admission were of predictive value in terms of subsequent nutrient intakes during the hospitalization. Patients who were over 65 years old and weighted less than 80% of their ideal body weight consumed significantly less energy and fewer macronutrients and micronutrients.