Relationship between acceptance of hospital diets and the nutritional status of hospitalized elderly

Introduction and Objectives: Hospital diets aim to improve the health, nutritional and clinical picture of hospitalized patient, reducing the risk of clinical complications, length of stay and the incidence of infections. This one study aimed to evaluate the relationship between acceptance of hospital diets and the state of nutrition of hospitalized elderly. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional study and descriptive study, in which elderly people were hospitalized at the Teaching Hospital in the city of Pelotas, Rio Grande do South. The inclusion criteria of the study: were elderly and who could report the information or who had companions and/or guardians who could answer the questionnaire for them. Results: Regarding the state nutrition, 44.4% of the sample was classified as well nourished, whereas patients moderately malnourished and severely malnourished presented 22,2% and 33,3% respectively. The diets: pasty, and hyperproteic and hypercaloric or only highprotein showed less accepted by elderly patients internet. The diet offered in a hospital environment had low acceptance at lunch and dinner compared to snack time and in general, temperature, texture, taste and frequency of meal offer were attributes classified as good by hospitalized patients. Conclusion: The results obtained demonstrate the need for further studies on the subject to better understand the relationship between acceptance of hospital diets and the nutritional status of hospitalized elderly patients.