Estudo de intervenção multimodal no estado nutricional do doente idoso institucionalizado

Abstract

Aging is a complex process that encompasses genetic and environmental factors and that not all individuals experience with the same intensity. It is known that the institutionalization of elderly people can change their risk and nutritional status and compromise their functional capacity and physical and mental health, which is often already at risk. The aim of this work was twofold; on the one hand, we wanted to explore and develop a multimodal, holistic and integrative program of different scientific and technical areas for the maintenance and improvement of health and nutritional status, nutrition, recreational activities and the practice of physical exercise; and on the other hand, we wanted to analyze the impact of this intervention on the nutritional status of an institutionalized elderly population. The study sample consisted of 32 female users aged between 65 and 100 years, living in a nursing home on Terceira Island, Azores. The study had two different moments: before the multimodal intervention and again after the 12 weeks of activities. The multimodal intervention consisted of a first assessment where clinical and anthropometric data were collected, to help assess the risk and nutritional status, as well as the mental state and the risk of sarcopenia. After this first phase, the group underwent a period of various playful, cognitive and physical activities, nutritional education sessions and adjustment of the daily caloric value and amount of protein ingested, over a 12 weeks period. At the end, a second assessment was carried out where clinical and anthropometric data were once again collected. According to the obtained results, a greater number of correlations were verified between various variables in the second phase of the questionnaires than in the first, which may mean that in some parameters the intervention was successful. However, it was not clear nor was it possible to relate the nutritional intervention with the decrease in the SARC-F score or increase in the MNA score. Nutrition is an important modulator of the health and well-being of the elderly. Adequate nutrition and lack of healthy physical exercise contribute to the progression of many diseases, namely sarcopenia, which in turn can also compromise adequate intake and functional capacity. Therefore, eating adequate amounts of food and practicing physical exercise to maintain muscle mass and physical performance is extremely important.

Date of Award	5 Apr 2024
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Marta Correia (Supervisor) & Ana Maria Gomes (Co-Supervisor)