SEPT. 18, 2000

Did You Know?
Seniors' Refrigerator Contents Indicative of Malnutrition

Researchers have discovered that the contents of an elderly person’s refrigerator may indicate whether he or she is at risk of being hospitalized. Scientists thoroughly assessed the refrigerator contents of 132 patients over the age of 65, then kept record of their frequency and dates of admission to hospitals. Elderly people with empty refrigerators were more frequently admitted in the month after assessment and three times sooner than those who did not have empty refrigerators.

Malnutrition leads to a decrease in quality of life and an increase in health-service expenditures. Detection by caregivers or relatives often occurs in advanced stages.