The effect of a liquid nutrition supplement on body composition and physical functioning in elderly people

Background & aims: The elderly are at an increased risk of poor nutritional status which is mutually interacting with functional status. We evaluated the effects of a liquid nutrition supplement on anthropometric and functional indices in elderly people. Methods: Subjects (n=68; mean AGE=82±7 years) with body mass index 25 kg/m2 received either a supplement or a placebo for 6 months. Anthropometric (body weight, bioelectrical impedance, calf circumference), biochemical (albumin, prealbumin), functional parameters (handgrip strength, timed ‘up and go’ test) and dietary intake were measured. Activities of daily living and Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) were assessed. Results: No compensation of energy intake occurred. After 6 months, the supplement group had gained more weight (+1.6 kg) than the placebo group (+0.3 kg) (P=0.03). No other significant changes in anthropometric, functional or blood parameters were seen. There was a significant improvement on the section ‘sleep’ of the NHP (mean change±SE=−0.38±0.19 for supplement vs 0.24±0.19 for placebo, P=0.03). Conclusion: Dietary supplementation led to an increase in body weight and had a positive influence on sleep in elderly persons. Supplementation did not affect energy intake from regular meals and thus resulted in additional energy intake.