Estimation of the Energy Intake Required to Prevent Body-Weight Loss in Residents of Japanese Long-Term Care Facilities

TL;DR

This study estimates the daily energy intake needed to prevent weight loss in elderly Japanese care facility residents.

Contribution

A novel regression-based method to estimate energy requirements for weight maintenance in underweight elderly individuals.

Findings

An energy intake of 31.4 kcal/kg BW is needed to prevent weight loss overall.

Underweight individuals (BMI < 18.5) require 33.4 kcal/kg BW for weight maintenance.

Regression analysis can predict energy needs without complex measurements.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Proper management of food services aimed at preventing malnutrition and weight loss among residents of long-term care facilities is a critical priority. Accordingly, accurate prediction of energy intake requirements is necessary. This study aimed to estimate the energy intake required to prevent weight loss in residents of Japanese long-term care facilities. Methods: Body weight and 12-day dietary intake were measured from residents aged ≥75 years with a body mass index (BMI) < 25.0 kg/m2 who were consuming a regular or chopped diet. In the survey, individuals with oral intake were included, while those with swallowing problems, serious illnesses, dietary restrictions, or medications causing appetite loss were excluded. The rate of body-weight loss and the energy intake per kilogram of body weight (kcal/kg BW) during each 6-month period were calculated. The energy intake per kilogram of body weight corresponding to the rate of body-weight loss of 0% was estimated from the regression line between the rate of body-weight loss and energy intake per kilogram of body weight. Results: The data was analyzed for 99 residents (15 men and 84 women, age 89.3 ± 5.0 years, BMI 20.3 ± 2.6 kg/m2). From the regression results in all participants, the energy intake per kilogram of body weight corresponding to the rate of body-weight loss of 0% was 31.4 kcal/kg BW overall and 33.4 kcal/kg BW for those with a BMI < 18.5 kg/m2. Conclusions: The calculation of energy intake using a regression line may be able to predict the energy intake required for weight maintenance without using instrumental measurements or estimation equations, especially in the case of underweight individuals.

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