BASELINE FINDINGS OF CARENUTRITION INTERVENTION (RCT) AMONG OLDER CAREGIVERS - RISK OF MALNUTRITION AND INSUFFICIENT PROTEIN INTAKE

Abstract

Objectives: Older caregivers are vulnerable to nutritional problems, but only a few studies have examined their nutrition. The purpose of this study was to determine the associations between nutritional status and nutrient intake among older caregivers. Design: Cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the CareNutrition randomized controlled trial (RCT). Setting: Community-dwelling caregivers from the Western part of Finland in two different clusters. Participants: A total of 79 caregivers aged ≥65 with normal cognition were recruited for the study, all of whom had officially approved caregiver status by The Social Insurance Institution of Finland. Measurement: Nutritional status was assessed by the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), nutrient intake by a three-day food diary, nutrition-related blood markers by laboratory tests, cognition by the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), and other baseline characteristics were also evaluated using validated methods. Results: The majority of the caregivers (79.7%) had a good nutritional status (MNA points >23.5), 19% were at risk of malnutrition (MNA points 17-23.5) and one person (1.3%) already suffered from malnutrition (MNA points <17). The female caregivers were at a higher risk of malnutrition than the males (26.5% vs. 6.7%, p=0.026). Depressive symptoms and medication were associated with decreased nutritional status, and good health-related quality of life with better nutritional status. Mean protein intake was 1.0 g/kg IBW/d and 79.7% of the caregivers (77.6% female, 83.3% male) did not consume the recommended protein intake of 1.2 g/kg IBW/d. Their intake of dietary fibre, folate and vitamin D was also insufficient. Conclusion: Every fifth caregiver was at risk of malnutrition. The females were at a higher risk than the males. Most of the caregivers had insufficient protein intakes. These findings confirm the importance of investigating the nutritional status of older caregivers and indicate a need for preventive nutritional guidance.