Prescribed hospital diet influence on dietary intake of hospitalised patients: a cross-sectional study

Gameiro, Joana; de Oliveira, Raquel; Baltazar, Ana Lúcia; Rocha, Clara; Pereira, Marta; Martins, Diana; Lima, João P. M.; Mendes, Fernando

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.1/28811

Utilize este identificador para referenciar este registo.

Nome:	Descrição:	Tamanho:	Formato:
nutrients-17-00261-v2.pdf		525.99 KB	Adobe PDF	Ver/Abrir

Contacte-nos

Autores

Resumo(s)

The dietary intake of hospitalised patients is often compromised during hospitalisation, which can be a causal factor for hospital malnutrition. This is considered a public health problem worldwide and is associated with an increased risk of other complications. Objectives: Our objective was to determine the dietary intake of hospitalised individuals and if the prescribed diet influences it. Methods: Food intake data were collected from 299 lunches of patients admitted to a hospital, using the visual estimation method with a five-point scale. Three existing diets were considered, and the energy and macronutrient values of the meal were calculated. The minimum energy and protein requirements were also calculated. Results: The components of the tray with the highest intake were soup and dessert; no significant differences were found between the percentage intake of each element and the prescribed diet. More than 50% of the individuals did not meet their minimum energy requirements, and only 36.5% had a protein intake that was within the recommendations. Conclusions: Dietary intake is much lower than prescribed, and nutritionists need to act to reduce the prevalence of hospital malnutrition.