PILOT STUDY 2: Prevention Of Malnutrition In Senior Subjects (PROMISS)

With the European population growing older, the challenge is to keep an increasing number of seniors across all European countries healthy and active. In Europe, between 13.5 % and 29.7 % of older adults living at home are (at risk of) protein energy malnutrition (PEM), which results in serious health problems. The overall aim of the Horizon 2020 project PRevention Of Malnutrition In older Senior Subjects (PROMISS) is to better understand and ultimately prevent PEM in seniors, by developing optimal, sustainable and evidence-based dietary and physical activity strategies to prevent malnutrition and enhance active and healthy aging.

This pilot study was conducted to optimize the design and intervention strategies for the long-term prevention trial which is part of PROMISS. The main aim of this pilot study was to examine and compare the feasibility of an ‘even’ or ‘peak’ dietary advise strategy to increase protein intake after four weeks among community-dwelling older adults.

Participants from both the intervention groups will increase their protein intake more than participants in the control group.

4 measurements:
- 1 Telephone interview (screening)
- 1 Pre-baseline visit at the university
- 1 Baseline visit at the university
- 1 Follow-up visit at the university

This pilot study consists of three groups; two intervention groups and one control group.

Participants (n = 60) were randomized into one of the three groups; two intervention groups (‘even’ or ‘peak’ strategy) and one control group. Participants of both intervention groups received personalized dietary advice and protein enriched food products to increase their protein intake to 1.2 g/kg adjusted body weight (aBW)/day, or with 0.3 g/kg BW/day when current intake was between 0.9 – 1.2 g/kg aBW/day. The ‘even’ group was advised to consume an equal relative amount of protein during each meal and snack while the ‘peak’ group was advised to consume at least one daily meal with 35-45 g of protein.

All groups received a standard brochure of the Netherlands Nutrition Centre with general information about healthy eating habits. The control group (N=20) receives no further intervention.