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Nutritional status, dietary quality and eating disturbance issues among people with dementia in Vietnam: evidence of a cross-sectional study

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Gina NguyenORCiD, Dr Louise Robinson

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).


Abstract

© The Author(s) 2024.Background: Due to cognitive impairments, people with dementia (PWD) often have difficulties in eating and drinking. This study aimed to assess the nutritional status, dietary quality and eating disturbance issues among PWD in Vietnam. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study at the Vietnamese National Geriatric Hospital from April to December 2022. We used Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) to classify the severity levels of dementia. Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), 24-hour recall, eating disturbance questionnaires, and anthropometric indicators were used to evaluate the nutritional status, dietary quality, and eating disorders of study subjects. Results: Overall, among 63 study participants, 74.6 per cent of PWD were at risk of or having malnutrition. By dementia classification according to MMSE scale, people with moderate and severe dementia accounted for 53.3 per cent of those who met the recommended energy levels, compared to 42.4 per cent of people with mild dementia and normal people. In the above two groups, around three per cent of participants reached the recommended amount of fibre. Calcium (50–70%), vitamin A (80–90%), and D (90%) were found to be the most severe deficiency forms of minerals and vitamins in both male and female participants. The majority of participants (90.5%) had at least one form of eating disorders with the most frequent issue being appetite changes (76.2%) and swallowing issues (50.8%). Conclusions: PWD in our sample frequently experienced malnutrition, a lack of essential nutrients, difficulties swallowing, changes in eating habits and appetite. It is neccesary to early screen and assess nutritional status and swallowing disturbance in PWD, and instruct their caregivers to prepare nutritious meals for them.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Le HT, Dang AK, Le LTT, Nguyen HTT, Nguyen GT, Nguyen HTT, Phan HBT, Nguyen TA, Robinson L

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition

Year: 2024

Volume: 43

Issue: 1

Online publication date: 10/07/2024

Acceptance date: 17/05/2024

Date deposited: 25/07/2024

ISSN (print): 1606-0997

ISSN (electronic): 2072-1315

Publisher: BioMed Central Ltd

URL: https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-024-00570-y

DOI: 10.1186/s41043-024-00570-y

Data Access Statement: The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request

PubMed id: 38987853


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