The study aimed to investigate the basic data to derive plans for snack provision to improve the nutritional status of older adults living in long-term care facilities (LFs) or long-term care hospitals (LHs). The 252 respondents (118 from LHs and 134 from LFs) were included in the study. The questionnaire of nationwide cross-sectional survey was developed by the authors and registered dietitians. The written questionnaire was sent to the food service managers across 800 LFs or LHs. The online survey was introduced using the online platform and network site for dietitians. More than 70% of live-in and non-live-in LFs provided snacks, which were mainly provided one to two times a day. Most institutions provided fruits one to three times a week. The main considerations when providing fruit were in the order of residents’ preference, cost, and ease of consumption. The reasons for not serving fruit included cost and differences in the residents’ eating and mastication abilities. Most institutions also provided dairy products at a frequency of one to three times a week. The reasons for not serving dairy products included cost and the lack of awareness of the need to provide them. To improve the quality of life and the offer benefits of fruits and dairy products to older people, efforts are needed to propose a plan to expand the provision of snacks in appropriate quantities and varieties.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted to confirm whether collagen peptide supplementation for 12 week has a beneficial effect on body fat control in older adults at a daily physical activity level. Participants were assigned to either the collagen group (15 g/day of collagen peptide) or the placebo group (placebo drink). Body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). In total, 74 participants (collagen group, n = 37; placebo group, n = 37) were included in the final analysis. The collagen group showed a significant reduction in total body fat mass compared with the placebo group, as evidenced by both BIA (p = 0.021) and DEXA (p = 0.041) measurements. Body fat mass and percent body fat of the whole body and trunk reduced at 12 weeks compared with baseline only in the collagen group (whole body: body fat mass, p = 0.002; percent body fat, p = 0.002; trunk: body fat mass, p = 0.001; percent body fat, p = 0.000). Total fat mass change (%) (collagen group, −0.49 ± 3.39; placebo group, 2.23 ± 4.20) showed a significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.041). Physical activity, dietary intake, and biochemical parameters showed no significant difference between the groups. The results confirmed that collagen peptide supplementation had a beneficial effect on body fat reduction in older adults aged ≥ 50 years with daily physical activity level. Thus, collagen peptide supplementation has a positive effect on age-related changes.
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