Prescribed Hospital Diet Influence on Dietary Intake of Hospitalised Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND

The dietary intake of hospitalised patients is often compromised during hospitalisation, which can be a causal factor for hospital malnutrition. This is considered a public health problem worldwide and is associated with an increased risk of other complications.

OBJECTIVES

Our objective was to determine the dietary intake of hospitalised individuals and if the prescribed diet influences it.

METHODS

Food intake data were collected from 299 lunches of patients admitted to a hospital, using the visual estimation method with a five-point scale. Three existing diets were considered, and the energy and macronutrient values of the meal were calculated. The minimum energy and protein requirements were also calculated.

RESULTS

The components of the tray with the highest intake were soup and dessert; no significant differences were found between the percentage intake of each element and the prescribed diet. More than 50% of the individuals did not meet their minimum energy requirements, and only 36.5% had a protein intake that was within the recommendations.

CONCLUSIONS

Dietary intake is much lower than prescribed, and nutritionists need to act to reduce the prevalence of hospital malnutrition.