A physiological amount of zinc supplementation: effects on nutritional, lipid, and thymic status in an elderly population.

Forty-four institutionalized elderly subjects with body mass indexes (BMI) of either > or = 24 or < or = 21 participated in a 16-wk crossover study designed to determine the effects of low-dose zinc supplementation [306 mumol (20 mg)/d] on food intake, anthropometry, and biochemical and immunological indexes. Initial serum zinc concentrations were low in both groups and increased by approximately 20% after zinc supplementation. Zinc supplementation allowed a partial but significant restoration of serum thymulin activity and improved nutritional status (food intake and serum albumin and transthyretin concentrations) but had no effect on anthropometric indexes or serum apolipoproteins, except apolipoprotein CII and apolipoprotein CIII. After zinc supplementation, serum copper concentration decreased but there was no change in the ratio of low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol. Low-dose zinc supplementation allows restoration, at least partially, of nutritional and thymic status without the known disadvantages of high doses of zinc.

Discrepancy between anthropometry and biochemistry in the assessment of the nutritional status of the elderly.

Institutionalized aged subjects, considered free of evolutive disease and whose body weight was stable, were studied. They were divided into two groups depending on their body mass index: controls (BMI greater than or equal to 24) and depleted (BMI less than or equal to 21). The depleted group, as judged by anthropometric measurements, showed dramatically reduced body muscle and adipose masses. Usual blood parameters were normal in both groups. Biochemical markers of the protein and energy status, viz. albumin, transthyretin, transferrin, somatomedin-C, as well as serum levels of osteocalcin and apolipoproteins AI, AII, B, CII, CIII and E, were not affected in the depleted group. However, moderate iron deficiency and marked zinc deficiency were found in this group. It is concluded that in the elderly, biochemical markers of the protein and energy status are not related to the nutritional status assessed by anthropometry.

Effects of adaptive seating devices on the eating and drinking of children with multiple handicaps.

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of adaptive seating on oral-motor functioning as it relates to eating and drinking in 11 children with multiple handicaps between the ages of 1 and 4 years. An assessment instrument with a behavioral base was used for the seven direct observations of each child's motor behavior. During the first and last visit the parent or guardian filled out a pre- and post-equipment questionnaire. Evaluations were conducted every 6 weeks beginning 3 months before and ending 6 months after the receipt of the seating devices. An analysis of variance was used to analyze rating scale score data. A nonparametric sign test was used for the analysis of yes/no data. Other data were analyzed for frequencies and central tendencies. Sitting posture and head alignment during eating and drinking improved significantly. A significant increase in the frequency with which liquid and food was retained in the mouth was noted. A significant number of children progressed from bottle to cup drinking and from eating blended to chopped or cut-up food. The present research extends beyond case study and retrospective study reports to support the efficacy of the use of adaptive seating devices by children with multiple handicaps.