jarlife journal
Sample text

AND option

OR option

All issues

Back to all journals

journal articles

INDIVIDUALLY ADAPTED NUTRITIONAL INTERVENTION REDUCES DIETARY PROBLEMS AND IMPROVES PHYSICAL FUNCTION IN CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE PATIENTS

A.M. Grönberg, L. Hulthén, S. Larsson, F. Slinde

J Aging Res Clin Practice 2012;1(1):98-100

Dietary problems are common in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and affect energy intake and nutritional status. The aim was to investigate effects of dietary counselling on dietary problems during a 12-month rehabilitation programme for patients with COPD. In 73 subjects with severe COPD, nutritional status was assessed by body mass index (BMI) and fat free mass index (FFMI) by single frequency bioelectrical impedance. Energy intake was calculated. The subjects were asked to describe any dietary problem they experienced. A six-minute walking test (6MWT) was performed to assess physical function. After 12 months of individually adapted nutritional intervention, 67 subjects were assessed by the same parameters. The number of dietary problems was reduced from 98 to 68. A significantly smaller group reported ” Fear of gaining weight” and ”Diarrhoea” (p<0.05). The patients succeeding in reducing their dietary problems also improved physical function indicated by significant improvements in 6MWT (mean 29.4 meters) after 12 months compared to baseline (p=0.023). Individually adapted dietary counselling can reduce the number of dietary problems. The results underline the importance of identifying dietary problems specific to the individuals as a means for improving nutritional status and physical function.

Download PDF (313.27 Ko)