Background & aims: A food quality control and improvement permanent process was initiated in 1999. To evaluate the food service evolution, protein-energy needs coverage were compared in 1999 and 2008 with the same structure survey in all hospitalized patients receiving 3 meals/day.
Methods: Nutritional values of food provided, consumed and wasted over 24h including non-exclusive nutritional support were calculated individually. Nutritional needs were estimated as 110% of Harris-Benedict formula for energy and 1.2 or 1.0 g protein/kg/day for patients <65 or ≥65 years old, respectively. Multivariate analysis identified factors associated with low nutritional intake in both populations standardized to body mass index (BMI) of 1999's patients.
Results: Out of 1677 patients, 1291 were included. Mean BMI was higher in 2008 than 1999 (P<0.001). The proportion of underfed patients was unchanged (69 vs. 70%, NS). The consumption of ≥1 oral nutritional supplements (ONS) daily increased the protein needs coverage from 80% to 115% (P<0.001). The year 1999, high BMI, 1st week of hospital stay, specific diet, ONS absence and low meal quality were associated with low nutritional intakes.
Conclusion: The nutritional needs coverage could have improved in 2008 if BMI was similar to 1999's. ONS consumption is associated with a lower risk of underfeeding in hospitalized patients.
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