Browsing by Subject "suolen toiminta"

Background: The elderly population grows in Finland and older people suffer from several health problems, such as undernutrition and constipation. Offering snacks with energy, protein and fiber can be helpful to elderly people with nutritional problems. The aim of the study: This thesis investigated how a nutritious snack containing oat and canola oil (OFA biscuit) affects energy intake, weight and bowel function in an elderly population compared to a wheat biscuit with less energy, fiber and fat. Materials and methods: A randomized, controlled intervention was conducted in healthy elderly ≥ 70 years. The participants were divided to two groups that ate four biscuits per day, either OFA-biscuits or wheat biscuits. The intervention lasted for 6 weeks. Height, weight and body composition were measured, energy and nutrient intake was collected via 24 h recall interviews. The participants kept a diary on the amount of biscuits eaten as well as stool frequency and stool form. Bristol scale 1-7 types were hard stools (1-2), normal stools (3-4) and loose stools (5-7). Results: 35 participants were recruited and 28 of them carried through the intervention. The volunteers were 70-89 years old (mean 77 y). 20 women and 8 men participated. The volunteers were supposed to eat 140 biscuits during the intervention. In OFA-group the volunteers ate approx. 91 biscuits and in the control group approx. 110 biscuits. There were no statistical differences between or inside groups in intake of energy and nutrients, weight or body composition. Defecation frequency didn’t differ between the groups. The stool form changed during the intervention in the OFA group. Between the pre-intervention week and the latter half of the intervention the number of hard stools decreased. The same diminishment happened between the first week in intervention and the latter half of the intervention. Also the percentage of hard stools decreased during the intervention. There were no statistically significant differences in the control group stool forms. Conclusion: The stool form changed from hard to softer stools during the intervention, even though the energy and fiber intake did not increase and the volunteers did not consume biscuits as planned. The participants were healthy and fit older people that didn’t suffer from constipation. OFA product could also be useful for people with constipation. Future research should have a focus on intervention with elderly people with a risk of malnourishment and constipation.