Non-starch polysaccharide/dietary fibre supplementation using small meals in long-stay frail elderly patients
Hankey, C.R.; Cullen, A.; Wynne, H.; Death, J.; Kenny, R.A.
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 47(7): 521-523
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0954-3007 PMID: 8404787 Document Number: 420668
Small meals of high non-starch polysaccharide (NSP)/dietary fibre cakes were offered to clinically stable continuing-care elderly patients, replacing the standard provision of low NSP/dietary fibre commercial cakes in an attempt to improve their well being. The study design was comprised of a 4 week control period, a 4 week intervention period, when modified cakes were offered, and finally a second 4 week control period. During intervention, an additional 33% NSP or 23% dietary fibre was offered, but only 7.7% and between 3.5% and 5.6% were consumed, respectively. Anthropometric measurements and bowel frequency did not change throughout the study but a decrease in aperient use was noted. From this study it was concluded that more comprehensive changes in food provision are required to achieve the current recommended consumption of NSP/dietary fibre in continuing-care elderly patients.