Study of energy amount in the enteral nutrition administration for the elderly in the facility

• Published in: Journal of the Japan Dietetic Association Vol. 65; no. 1; pp. 35 - 40
• Main Author: Yagi, Hisako
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: The Japan Dietetic Association 2022; 公益社団法人 日本栄養士会
• Subjects: appropriate amount of energy intake; bedridden elderly people; enteral nutrition; 寝たきり高齢者; 経腸栄養; 適正エネルギー量
• ISSN: 0013-6492; 2185-6877
• DOI: 10.11379/jjda.65.35

The purpose of this study is to confirm the appropriate level of energy intake in the elderly based upon documented weight fluctuations caused by reducing the administration of energy in the form of an enteral nutritional supplement. The subjects were 8 elderly, bedridden individuals (4 men and 4 women), all of whom were receiving enteral nutritional supplements. Regarding the methodology, the energy was reduced from 900 kcal to 800 kcal for 3 months for residents of the nursing home who had maintained 900 kcal for over a year and had a stable weight, and the weight fluctuation was confirmed. The results were weight loss in 3 patients (2 men and 1 woman), weight gain in 2 patients (both female), and no change in 3 patients (2 men and 1 woman). Because men are more likely to lose weight, it would be appropriate not to set the appropriate energy intake level too low for men. Conversely, because women are less likely to lose weight, generally, the appropriate energy intake for women can be set at a lower level.