Taste detection ability of elderly nursing home residents.

Due to the rapid rise of aged populations throughout the world, it is essential to elucidate the cause of taste dysfunction, because it may reduce appetite, leading to inadequate dietary intake. We aimed to compare taste detection ability between dependently and independently living geriatric individuals of nearly the same age with oral status. Forty-three elderly individuals considered to be cognitively eligible and residing in nursing homes in Japan were enrolled (n = 43, 82·3 ± 8·5 years) and were compared with an independently living elderly group (n = 949, 79·9 ± 0·8 years), aiming to compare taste detection ability between dependently and independently living elders of nearly the same age. Information regarding comorbidity and medication was obtained as general health status, and oral status including number of present teeth, denture usage and maximal occlusal force was also noted. In the dependently living group, 69·4%, 14·3%, 16·3% and 8·2% of participants could detect sweet, sour, salty and bitter tastes, respectively, which was significantly lower than the independently living group for each taste (97·9%, 70·8%, 89·6% and 43·8% for sweet, sour, salty and bitter tastes, respectively). The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that residing in nursing homes was associated with reduced sensitivity for four different tastes. The diseases and the situation of dependent elders were more likely the cause of the decreased taste sensitivity.

Characteristics of energy metabolism in males with mental retardation.

To characterize the energy metabolism in individuals with mental retardation (MRs), we measured energy cost at several physical activity levels (basal, supine, sitting, standing, and walking at 30, 50 and 70 m/min), maximal oxygen consumption (Vo2max), and body composition in 23 male MRs and the same number of volunteer male controls. Both groups were individually matched for age, body height, and body weight. Energy cost was measured by the Douglas bag technique. The recently developed sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) dilution technique was employed for measuring body composition. In addition, 3-dimensional accelerometry was used for evaluating body movements, and plasma indices of macronutrients were also measured. The energy cost of MRs, when sitting, standing, and walking at 30 and 50 m/min, was significantly higher than that of controls (p < 0.05), while the basal and resting metabolic rates were similar in both groups. Vo2max was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in MRs than controls. Accelerometry demonstrated excessive movement by MRs, which may explain their higher energy cost of exercise. In contrast, no significant difference was observed in percent body fat or lean body mass. Concentrations of plasma total cholesterol, triacylglycerols and albumin were significantly lower in MRs as compared with the controls. Our findings suggest that MRs are burdened with an energy metabolism less economical than non-MRs. Limited physical activity in their daily life may be the cause. These characteristics of MRs' energy metabolism should be considered for planning their proper dietary schedules and physical activity programs.