ABBOTT PARK, Ill, Nov. 2, 2022 — Baby boomers are aging and the U.S. population is too. The proportion of U.S. adults 65-and-older grew more than a third since 2010 and now includes 54.1 million adults.1To help the baby boomers maintain their quality of life and physical functionality, it's critical to encourage healthy aging, yet up to 1 in 3 adults are at risk of malnutrition which can have significant health and cost implications.2New research published in Clinical Nutrition demonstrates that a simple nutrition care program can drive health benefits like physical functionality, cognitive function, psychological well-being and quality of life.3
The study, conducted in partnership with Abbott, and Colombia's Javeriana University and San Ignacio Hospital, was a first-of-its-kind study in Latin America, involving more than 600 malnourished or at-risk older adults – many of whom had a recent hospitalization or were managing a chronic disease. The researchers studied the impact of a three-step nutrition care program that: 1) Screened and identified individuals at risk of malnutrition; 2) Provided nutrition education and oral nutritional supplements; and 3) Followed up to provide support and reinforce compliance.
After following the personalized nutrition care program, more than half of study participants had improvements in nutritional status, and improvement or maintenance of leg muscle mass, body weight and body mass index (BMI), which helped drive other benefits.3,4 At least 1 in 3 participants had compromised baseline status in psychological well-being, quality of life, cognitive function and/or physical functionality, and when these individuals followed the program, they saw improvements in all four areas:
- 84% of participants had improved psychological well-being
- 76% of participants had improved quality of life by improving their mobility and self-care (bathing, grooming, etc.)
- 75% of participants had improved cognitive function
- 48% of participants had improved physical functionality
Improved health benefits were associated with a 40% reduction in hospitalizations, emergency department and outpatient visits over 90 days, which resulted in reduced healthcare costs.5
''Malnutrition is an often-hidden condition that can have harmful effects on overall health and interfere with healthy aging,'' said Suela Sulo, PhD, MS, a health economics and outcomes researcher at Abbott and a study author. ''The nutrition care program implemented in this study is simple and cost effective and can be implemented both in-person or virtually, yet it can have a profound impact.''
Tackling Malnutrition to Promote U.S. Aging Adults
Older adults are managing a lot – from chronic health conditions to the physical changes that come with age. Often their nutritional status can be overlooked, which can have a large impact on their health and strength with age.
''For older adults – especially those managing a chronic disease – who want to stay independent, aging well means taking care of both their physical and psychological well-being,'' said Tiffany DeWitt, RD, MBA, registered dietitian and nutrition science lead for Abbott's nutrition business in Latin America. ''Good nutritional status is an important determinant of health in aging. Malnutrition is associated with lower physical function, poorer quality of life and shorter survival.6,7,8,9''
Fortunately, simple steps taken by healthcare professionals, caregivers and older adults can help reduce malnutrition and help promote healthy aging:
- Be Aware of Malnutrition Symptoms: Malnutrition is common in the U.S. but it's not always top of mind – symptoms like decreased energy, unintentional weight loss, or a recent surgery or hospitalization can increase an adult's malnutrition risk.
- Continuously Re-Evaluate Your Health: Adults' nutritional status can fluctuate based on different circumstances – a recent illness or hospitalization can increase risk for malnutrition. Therefore, adults should continuously look for signs and symptoms and seek help if they think they're at risk.
- Consult an Expert: For adults who may be at risk, it is recommended they seek a consultation with a registered dietitian nutritionist who can help assess their nutritional status and provide a personalized nutrition care program.
- Consider a Nutritional Supplement: Adults' nutritional needs change as they age, and nutritional needs are unique for those managing a chronic condition, recently hospitalized or undergoing surgery. An oral nutritional supplement, like Ensure® or Glucerna®, can help adults get important nutrients they need.
About the Study:
The study from Abbott, and Colombia's Javeriana University and San Ignacio Hospital aimed to investigate the nutritional, health and economic impact of identifying and treating malnutrition risk among 600 older Colombian adults who received care at an outpatient clinic after a recent hospitalization and/or for management of a chronic disease. Adults who were identified as malnourished or at-risk received a personalized nutrition care program including education, nutritional drinks and follow-up care. The impact of the personalized nutrition care program on nutritional outcomes, health and well-being, and economic benefits were published in Clinical Nutrition ESPEN, Clinical Nutrition and Value in Health Regional Issues, respectively.
About Abbott:
Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 113,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.
Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/abbott-/, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews.
1. U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates and Projections.
2. Sheean P, et al. Public Health Nutri. 2019;22:894-902.
3. Gomez G, et al. Clin Nutr. 2022;41:1549-1556.
4. Chavarro-Carvajal, DA, et al. Clinical Nutrition ESPEN. 2022;48:291-297.
5. Sulo S, et al. Value Health Reg Issues.2022;32:70-77.
6. Villafane JH, et al. J Phys Ther Sci 2016;28:607-612.
7. Marshall S, et al. J Hum 362 Nutr Diet 2014;27:133-141.
8. Prado CM, et al. Ann Med 2018;50:675-693. 365 16.
9. Rodriguez MG, Sichaca EG. 366 Biomedica 2019;39:663-672.
