Abstract
The role of institutional meal services in the daily nutrient intake of institutionalized elderly persons was examined in relation to their habitual eating between meals and eating out. One hundred and seventy-one female residents (aged 80.2±7.1 yr) of nursing homes for the elderly (NH), homes for the elderly (HE), and homes with moderate fees (HMF) voluntarily participated in this study. The results were as follows: 1) In all institutions, the residents did not consume 26.5-32.0% of the energy served, and the primary reason for the remaining food was an excess supply of dietary energy based on the current Recommended Dietary Allowances in Japan for NH homes and an increased frequency of eating between meals and eating out for HE and HMF. 2) The increase in the daily physical activity of residents decreased the proportion of daily nutrient intake obtained from institutional meals, and increased the proportion from additional foods ingested privately. These results indicate that the role of meal services in the daily nutrient intake of institutionalized elderly persons declines with an increase in the level of physical activity of residents.
