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Nutrition
and Aging
Charlene
D. Compher, PhD, RD, FADA, CNSD
| Charlene
Compher, PhD, RD, FADA, CNSD investigates
therapies to improve nutrient absorption in patients
with intestinal failure (short bowel syndrome)
and measures the energy requirements of individuals,
using state of the art technology. Many nutritional
issues are understood thoroughly in Caucasian
clients and in young adults, but to a very limited
degree in older and oldest old and African American
subjects. Dr.
Compher’s evaluation of energy needs in
elderly African American hospitalized adults
provides important data in an area where very
limited information exists, and where estimating
energy needs is fraught with error that can exacerbate
malnutrition. Pending publications address the
use of new energy expenditure technology in patients
with severe intestinal disorders, and systematic
reviews of energy expenditure predictions and
measurement techniques. |
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Dr.
Charlene Compher |
| Dr.
Compher will expand the existing nutritional knowledge
with her examination of nutritional status as it
relates to pressure ulcer incidence and prevalence
in elderly patients admitted to the hospital. All
of these studies have the potential to improve the
quality of life of elderly patients as these data
are applied to nutritional programs and recovery. |
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| Currently Funded Grants |
| Currently
Funded Grants (Compher) |
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| Other
Research Projects on Nutrition and Aging |
Harris-Benedict
equations do not adequately predict energy requirements
in elderly hospitalized African Americans.
Compher C, Cato R, Bader J, Kinosian B.
School of Nursing, Health System, and Department of Clinical
Nutrition Support, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia,
PA 19104-6096, USA. compherc@nursing.upenn.edu
BACKGROUND: Malnutrition, associated with poor outcome in the elderly, may be
exacerbated by weight loss during hospitalization. Accurate estimation of energy
requirements is important, particularly if predictions are applied to caloric
supply. Because data on energy requirements for the elderly are limited, particularly
for African-American patients, predictions are commonly made with equations derived
from a younger, caucasian, cohort from 80 years ago. METHOD: To compare measured
resting metabolic rate (RMR) in a hospitalized elderly African-American cohort
in an urban community hospital during 1998 with Harris-Benedict predictions of
basal energy expenditure (BEE). Energy expenditure was measured by a strict protocol
with a portable metabolic cart, and height and weight were measured standardly
and used to calculate BEE and body mass index (BMI). RESULTS: In 61 subjects,
aged 79.6+/-8.9 years, measured RMR was significantly greater than predicted
BEE (p=0.001, t-test). Caloric expenditure averaged 24.7+/-5 kcal/kg/day, but
the range was broad (14-39 kcal/kg/day). The BEE prediction was 20.3+/-2.4 kcal/kg/day.
CONCLUSION: In elderly hospitalized African-American patients, the Harris-Benedict
equation significantly underestimated energy requirements. Given the link between
unintentional weight loss and increased mortality on the one hand and potential
clinical complications of overfeeding on the other, measurement of energy expenditure
is warranted.
J Natl Med Assoc. 2004 Feb;96(2):209-14.
PMID: 14977280 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] |
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| For
more information, please send an email to Dr.
Compher, or contact PNCS, our Penn Nursing Consultation
Service. Thank you. |
| The
above listed initiative is just one of many
ongoing studies or projects by our Penn Nursing
scholars.
For more information on other Penn Nursing experts,
or to
request a CONSULTATION, please contact |
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