Effects of Home-Delivered Meals on Older People’s Protein Intake, Physical Performance, and Health-Related Quality of Life: The Power Meals Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

This trial examined the effectiveness of an 8-week home meal service on protein and other nutrient intake, physical performance (PP) and health related quality of life (HRQoL) among older people living at home (≥65 years; home care clients, caregivers and care recipients). Participants were randomized into three groups; (1) protein-rich meal, snack, and bread (INT1), (2) regular meal (INT2) and (3) control group. Nutrient intake was assessed with 3-day food diaries, PP with Short Physical Performance Battery (SBBP) and HRQoL with 15 dimensional Health-related quality of life instrument. Total of 67 (59.7% women, mean age 78.2 years) participants (n = 22 INT1, n = 24 INT2, n = 21 CG) completed the trial. At baseline, mean protein intake was 0.92 (SD 0.32) g/kg adjusted body weight (aBW)/d. At 8 weeks, protein-rich home meal service in INT1 increased protein intake (+ 0.11 (95%CI −0.01 to 0.21) g/kg aBW/d, 9.4 (95%CI 1.0 to 17.8) g/d) compared to other groups. It also increased calcium intake (+169.9 (95%CI 26 to 314) mg/d) and improved results in Sit-to-Stand Test (-4.8 (95%CI −6.8 to −2.7) sec) in INT1 compared to CG. Both home meal services increased saturated fat intake (INT1; 4.6 (95%CI 1.0–8.2) g/d, INT2;7.8 (95%CI 1.9 to 13.7)g/d) and decreased salt intake (INT1;-2330.9 (95%CI −2998 to -1664) mg/d, INT2; −2371.9 (95%CI −3399 to -1345) mg/d) compared to CG. There was no effect on overall HRQoL.

Keywords:

• Elderly
• home-delivered meals
• nutrition

Disclosure statement

Mrs. Kunvik, Mrs. Rautakallio-Järvinen, Dr. Laaksonen and Mrs. Fogelholm report payments from Oy Karl Fazer Ab or Compass Group FS Finland during the preparation of this paper. Dr. Salonoja, Dr. Valve and Dr. Suominen declare that they have no conflicts of interest relevant to this paper.

Additional information

Funding

The Power Meals study was funded by Oy Karl Fazer Ab and Compass Group FS Finland Oy. The funder had no role in the study analysis. Mrs Kunvik reports grant from The Finnish Cultural Foundation`s Satakunta Regional Fund during the preparation of this paper.