Fiber-rich snacks improved constipation in Vietnamese elderly

Constipation is a common condition among the elderly in nursing homes, partly due to a low fiber intake. This study utilized agar and konjac, both rich sources of dietary fiber, to develop fiber-rich snacks aimed at increasing fiber intake among the elderly.

This 3-week cross-over study was conducted among 20 elderly residents with constipation at Tuyet Thai Nursing Home, Vietnam (11 women, mean age 77 years; 9 men, mean age 79 years). Participants were divided into two groups receiving either control or fiber-rich snacks in alternating weeks, with a washout week in between. Two snacks were provided each day - control snacks made with tapioca and gelatin and intervention snacks in which part of the tapioca was replaced with konjac (≈3g fiber) and all gelatin with agar (≈3g fiber). Data were collected on stool status, dietary intake, and quality of life (as assessed by the Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life (PAC-QOL) questionnaire).

Comparison of defecation status with the control period and the intervention period: stool frequency: 3.3 times/week and 4.9 times/week; The propor-tion of bowel movements with normal stool form increased from 35% to 85%; with stool constipation form decreased from 56% to 14% (p <0.05). Energy intake was comparable between periods, whereas fiber intake increased substantially during the intervention (11.8 ± 1.6 vs. 6.1 ± 1.2 g/day). The difference in fiber intake between the two periods was statistically significant (p <0.05), while the difference in energy intake was not statistically significant (p >0.05). The quality of life scores of the elderly during the intervention period im-proved significantly.

Fiber-rich snacks effectively improved constipation in the elderly without affecting their energy intake.