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Erschienen in:
01.12.2013 | Original Contribution
Effects of a dietetic treatment in older, undernourished, community-dwelling individuals in primary care: a randomized controlled trial
Erschienen in: European Journal of Nutrition | Ausgabe 8/2013
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Purpose
Undernutrition is a prevalent problem in older, community-dwelling individuals. Aim of this study was to determine the effects of a dietetic treatment in older, undernourished, community-dwelling individuals.
Methods
A parallel randomized controlled trial was performed in 146 non-institutionalized, undernourished individuals aged ≥65 years in primary care. Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention (referral to and treatment by a trained dietitian) or control group (no referral). Body weight, physical performance, handgrip strength, energy intake, protein intake and fat-free mass were assessed at baseline, after 3 months and after 6 months.
Results
All randomized participants (n = 146) were included in the intention-to-treat generalized estimating equations analysis (72 in intervention and 74 in control group). No treatment effect was found on the primary outcomes body weight (β = 0.49 kg, 95 % CI: −0.15–1.12), physical performance (β = 0.15 points, 95 % CI: −0.33–0.64) and handgrip strength (β = 0.49 kg, 95 % CI: −0.62–1.60). Furthermore, no treatment effect was found for the secondary outcomes. Predefined subgroup analyses showed a treatment effect on body weight in physically active participants (β = 1.25 kg, 95 % CI: 0.70–2.11) and not in inactive participants (β = −0.20 kg, 95 % CI: −1.16–0.75).
Conclusions
After 6 months, a dietetic treatment by trained dietitians does not lead to increases in body weight and physical functioning in older, undernourished, community-dwelling individuals.