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Background: House-bound older adults are at risk of malnutrition Sharkley [1]. However there is limited knowledge of dietary intake in this population in the UK. The 'meals on wheels' (MOW) service delivers meals to this population to help meet their nutritional requirements. This study aimed to compare the nutritional intake of older adults receiving MOW with dietary reference values (DRVs) and to consider the contribution that MOW provides to the daily intake. Methods: The study recruited people aged ≥75 years, free from cognitive impairment to ensure consent was obtained, receiving MOW either as lunch service (LS) or lunch and tea service (LTS). Participants completed a 3-day un-weighed food and drink diary to reflect intake variation and participant burden. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and were compared with population DRVs Department of Health [2]. Ethical approval was obtained from the University of Hertfordshire. Results: Thirteen people agreed to participate and completed diaries were provided by five men and six women. Eight of these participants received LS and three received LTS Discussion: Participants did not rely on MOW as their main food source and had good intakes of calcium, folate and vitamin C, which is in contrast to a recent study in Ireland O'Dwyer et al. [3] but similar to the findings of the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) for adults >65 years Bates et al. [4]. Despite the regular use of vitamin D fortification within MOW deserts, nine participants had poor intakes; a finding consistent with both these published studies. MOW provided foods rich in folate and vitamin C. MOW contribution to calcium and energy intake improved when both lunch and tea service were provided suggesting that foods served at tea provided a good source of calcium. Mean energy intakes were comparable to the NDNS and exceeded EAR when participants had both lunch and tea service, although the limitations of using the EAR need to be considered. Despite these findings, this study attracted the most able and cognitively well people within this vulnerable population. Conclusions: The intake of most participants met DRV, except for vitamin D and energy, and was better amongst those consuming LTS than those with lunch alone. Contribution from MOW to the overall dietary intake varied between nutrients.
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The German Nutrition Society publishes a national Nutrition Report on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection on a regular basis. Lastly the 12th Nutrition Report was published in December 2012. The Nutrition Report 2012 is an important instrument for those responsible in nutrition and health policy, and also for food manufacturers, for the public, nutritionists, dieticians and the media. This paper is a short version of the Nutrition Report 2012 published by the German Nutrition Society. The five chapters of this report are providing substantial information about the nutritional situation in Germany, a review of the prevalence of pre-obesity and obesity in Germany, a description of the nutritional situation of seniors with need of care in private homes in Germany (ErnSiPP Study) and data about the situation, quality and satisfaction with “meals on wheels”. Aspects of food safety are always of broad public interest and so we continue to describe toxicological and microbiological aspects of nutrition. Continuing the former Nutrition Reports and the report of the World Cancer Research Fund of 2007, a systematic analysis of the relation between nutrition and carcinogenesis was pursued evaluating the current evidence according to the guidelines of the German Nutrition Society. Furthermore the influence of phytochemicals on human health was described updating the information of the last three Nutrition Reports. Within each chapter, methodology, results and evaluation are described.