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Lee and Song: Characteristics of Eating Behavior in Elders with Dementia residing in Long-Term Care Facilities
Original Article
Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing

Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing 2012; 42(4): 466-476.

Published online: 31 August 2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2012.42.4.466

Characteristics of Eating Behavior in Elders with Dementia residing in Long-Term Care Facilities

Kyoung Min Lee1, Jun-Ah Song2

1Department of Nursing, DongKang College, Gwangju, Korea.

2College of Nursing, Korea University, Seoul, Korea.

Address reprint requests to: Lee, Kyoung Min. Department of Nursing, DongKang College, 50 Dongmundaero, Buk-gu, Gwangju 500-714 , Korea. Tel: +82-62-520-2289, Fax: +82-62-520-2368, muesayou@naver.com

Received 11 August 2011       Accepted 17 July 2012

© 2012 Korean Society of Nursing Science

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to explore characteristics of eating behavior according to level of functional status of elders with dementia (EWD), and to examine feeding time, change in food intake and body mass index (BMI) according to eating behavior.

Methods

Participants were 149 EWD residing in long-term care facilities located in Seoul or Gyeonggi province and evaluated using the Mini-Mental State Exam-Korean version, Korean version-Activities of Daily Living, and Eating Behavior Scale (EBS). Feeding time, change in food intake, and BMI were also measured. Data were analyzed using SPSS 17.0, specifically descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and Chi-square test.

Results

Participants' mean EBS score was 10.43±6.01 and half of them (54.4%) needed moderate or total assistance while eating. The EBS score was significantly lower for elders with severe dementia compared to those with mild or moderate dementia; and elders with severe ADL dependence compared to those with mild or moderate ADL dependence. Lower EBS scores were related to longer feeding time, a greater the rate of participants with decreased food intake and 'underweight' BMI.

Conclusion

Nursing intervention programs which are designed for EWD are needed to maintain functional eating skills and prevent negative consequences in this population.

Keywords: Dementia, Eating, Long-term care

Figures and Tables

Table 1
General Characteristics of Participants (N=149)
jkan-42-466-i001
Table 2
Eating Behavior, Feeding Time, Change in Food Intake, and BMI of Participants (N=149)
jkan-42-466-i002

BMI=Body Mass Index.

*Including 18 persons: Completely independent in eating behavior.

Table 3
Eating Behavior of Participants according to the Level of Function Status (N=149)
jkan-42-466-i003
Table 4
Feeding Time, Change in Food Intake, and BMI according to Eating Behavior of Participants (N=149)
jkan-42-466-i004

BMI=Body Mass Index.

Notes

This article is based on a part of the first author's master's thesis from Korea University.

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