Protein-, energy-packed foods may improve nutrient intake in hospitalized adults

Energy and protein intake is modest among hospitalized adult patients, reports a study, noting that higher relative energy and protein content of foods may lead to greater consumption despite similar or smaller portions. 

A team of investigators recorded 392 lunch and dinner meals across six departments at a tertiary hospital in this cross-sectional study. They measured intake by weighing food before and after consumption and derived nutrient content from standardized recipes and food composition tables. 

In addition, the investigators stratified meals by relative energy and protein content (per 100 g food), classified as either above or below the median. Finally, they explored the associations between meal composition and intake outcomes using nonparametric tests (Mann‒Whitney U and Kurskal‒Wallis). 

Hospitalized adults had a median consumption of 205 g, providing 250 kcal and 10 g of protein per meal. 

Meals above the median for relative energy content correlated with higher energy (117 kcal; p<0.001) and protein intake (3.6 g; p<0.001) than those below the median, with no difference in food weight. Moreover, meals above the median for relative protein content provided 4.9-g more protein (p<0.001) despite a 23-g reduction in weight (p=0.007). 

“These findings support targeted meal-composition strategies focusing on energy and protein enrichment,” the investigators said. 

“Inadequate oral intake among hospitalized adults contributes to malnutrition and adverse outcomes,” they said.