Fiber-rich snacks improved constipation in Vietnamese elderly

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Nutritional Science
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Constipation is prevalent in elderly nursing home residents, often linked to low dietary fiber intake.
• Dietary fiber plays a crucial role in maintaining regular bowel function.
• Developing palatable, fiber-rich food interventions is essential for this demographic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate the efficacy of fiber-rich snacks for alleviating constipation in elderly individuals.
• To assess the impact of increased fiber intake on bowel habits and quality of life.
• To determine if fiber supplementation affects overall energy intake.

Main Methods:

• A 3-week cross-over study involving 20 elderly nursing home residents with constipation.
• Participants consumed either control snacks or fiber-rich snacks (containing konjac and agar) in alternating weeks, with a washout period.
• Data collected included stool status, dietary intake, and quality of life using the PAC-QOL questionnaire.

Main Results:

• Fiber-rich snacks significantly increased stool frequency (3.3 to 4.9 times/week) and improved stool form.
• The proportion of normal stools increased from 35% to 85%, while constipated stools decreased from 56% to 14%.
• Fiber intake significantly increased (6.1 to 11.8 g/day) without a significant change in energy intake; quality of life scores improved.

Conclusions:

• Fiber-rich snacks incorporating konjac and agar are an effective dietary strategy to manage constipation in the elderly.
• This intervention successfully enhanced fiber consumption and improved patient-reported outcomes.
• The findings suggest that targeted fiber supplementation can be beneficial without negatively impacting caloric intake.