P082 - EVALUATION OF THE EFFECT OF A HIGH PROTEIN MEAL ADDED TO THE DAILY DIET OF ELDERLY INDIVIDUALS WITH LIMITED MOBILITY ON NUTRITIONAL STATUS

P082

EVALUATION OF THE EFFECT OF A HIGH PROTEIN MEAL ADDED TO THE DAILY DIET OF ELDERLY INDIVIDUALS WITH LIMITED MOBILITY ON NUTRITIONAL STATUS

M. N. Ucak^1,*, L. Teymur², O. Arda², E. N. Zengin², G. A. Colak¹, M. Bas¹

¹Nutrition and Dietetics, Acibadem University, Health Science Institute, ²Nutrition and Dietetics, Acibadem University, Health Science Faculty, Istanbul, Türkiye

Rationale: This study aimed to assess the nutritional status of elderly individuals with mobility limitations in nursing homes and evaluate the effects of protein supplementation on muscle mass and malnutrition. Given the challenges of research in older populations, the study seeks to contribute to the limited literature on this topic.

Methods: 52 residents were included. Nutritional status was assessed via 24-hour dietary recall; muscle and fat mass, and phase angle were measured using a Bodystat device. Malnutrition risk was evaluated using NRS-2002 and SGA. Participants received a daily enteral supplement (24 g sachet containing 14.8 g protein and 1.3 g HMB) for 4 weeks, in addition to their usual diet. Post-intervention, all measurements were repeated.

Results: The mean age was 81.3 years. Four individuals dropped out, leaving 48 participants for analysis. Thirteen were fed via PEG, and 31 orally. No significant association was found between feeding route and malnutrition risk or muscle mass changes (p > 0.05), though orally fed individuals showed greater muscle mass gain. No significant relationship was observed between supplement adherence and muscle mass increase (p > 0.05), but an average gain of over 1 kg in muscle mass and 0.4 units in FFMI was recorded. NRS-2002 scores did not change significantly, while SGA scores improved (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Protein supplementation may improve muscle mass and nutritional status in elderly individuals with mobility limitations. Although the short intervention period and participants’ age and health may have limited statistical significance, clinical outcomes underscore the importance of nutritional support in similar populations.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared