Nutritional Status in Patients Over 65 Years of Age and Meal Presentation

What this study involves

The registry does not currently label this study as recruiting. Ask about its status before planning a screening visit.

Study type

Observational

Phase

Not applicable / not listed

Age range

65 years - Not specified

Sex eligible

All sexes

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

Participants

0 Actual

These are starting points, not an eligibility decision. The research team must review the full requirements.

About the research

The prevalence of undernutrition in hospitals is estimated between 30 and 40% and up to 50% in the elderly. The consequences of undernutrition are significant: complications, delayed healing, higher risk of infections, pressure ulcers, lengthening of the length of stay, higher readmission rate, increased mortality, reduced quality of life, etc. In addition, the cost of hospital malnutrition is high for the health system. As a result, undernutrition is one of the axes of action of the french National Health Nutrition Program 2019-2023 (PNNS4). It can appear during hospitalization or be pre-existing and worsen during hospitalization. It is due to an unfavorable balance between expenditure and energy intake. One of the causes is incomplete consumption of meals served in hospital. Studies have shown that the appearance of the meal is a hindrance to patients feeding.

At the Caen Normandie University Hospital, meals have been served to patients in plastic trays for thirteen years. The presentation of the meals is a significant factor in not consuming meals in the hospital. In addition to the problem of the presentation of meals, plastic trays pose ergonomic problems: their height hinders the cutting and the gripping of food, which is difficult for patients with gripping problems; they can also be difficult to open for these same patients. They also pose environmental problems: the waste generated is not currently recycled.

The investigators hypothesize that presenting the main course on porcelain plates would reduce undernutrition and limit food waste.

The investigators therefore propose a study with the aim of:

• Compare the assessment of the perception of dietary intakes of patients receiving dishes presented on porcelain plates (experimental group) with that of patients receiving dishes in plastic trays (current system - control group) on D6 ± 1 day;
• Compare the evolution of indicators of nutritional status or risk in elderly patients receiving meals presented in porcelain plates (experimental group) compared to those receiving meals presented in plastic trays (control group);
• Evaluate food intake and food waste in each of the two groups;
• Compare patient satisfaction with meals in the two groups.

Who may be able to participate?

The list below is the sponsor’s full registry wording. It can include conditions, prior treatment, test results and other requirements. A match in search does not mean you qualify.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patient 65 years of age or older
• Patient not having objected to his participation in the study
• Patient affiliated to a social security scheme
• French-speaking patient

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patient receiving a diet with double portions (a side dish of vegetables and a side of starches)
• Patient receiving a diet not including a main course at dinner
• Patient receiving cold meals
• Patient receiving a controlled residue or fiber diet
• Patient receiving a diet with a modified texture: chopped, milled, mixed, semi-liquid or liquid
• Patient for whom weight cannot be measured
• Patient receiving partial or exclusive artificial nutrition (enteral or parenteral)
• Patient with a foreseeable length of stay of less than 6 days
• Patient with cognitive impairment
• Patient in accommodation in the care unit (risk of rapid transfer to the original department)
• For the second phase: patient who participated in the first phase of the study

Study population

Each patient admitted to the internal medicine department will be included in the study, if he/she meets the inclusion criteria and does not present a excusion criterion.

Treatment, groups and participation

The registry may describe treatments and study duration without a complete visit calendar. Ask the study team for the exact schedule, procedures, risks, costs and alternatives. Keep your usual care plan unless your treating clinician tells you otherwise.

Assignment

Not reported

Masking

Not reported

What researchers are measuring

Outcome measures describe what is being studied. They are not proof that a treatment works.

Primary measures

Research locations (0)

The overall study status and a local site’s status can differ. Confirm that location’s availability before traveling.

No locations are listed. Use the official study contact.

Study team and timeline

Lead sponsor

University Hospital, Caen

Study start

Oct 22, 2026 Actual

Primary completion

Oct 22, 2026 Actual

Study completion

Oct 22, 2026 Actual

First posted

Jan 6, 2021 Actual

Last updated

Nov 10, 2026 Actual

Official study contacts

No central contact is listed. Check the locations and the official record.