Unintended Weight Loss in Older Adults

UWL: Activity Level Factors (2007)

Unintended Weight Loss in Older Adults -- Nutrition Assessment

Activity Level Factors in Older Adults

• Intervention
  What are the reported activity level factors with measured RMR in healthy older adults?

  • Conclusion

    Five studies were evaluated regarding the physical activity factors with measured RMR in healthy older adults.  The use of physical activity levels ranging from 1.25 (sedentary) to 1.75 (very active) resulted in mean total daily energy estimates of 25 - 35 kcal/kg/day in females and 30 - 40 kcal/kg/day in males.  Emerging research reports a decreased energy efficiency in older adults compared with younger adults; further research is needed in this area.

     
  • Grade: II
    • Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
    • Grade II is Fair;
    • Grade III is Limited/Weak;
    • Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
    • Grade V is Not Assignable.
    • High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
    • Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
    • Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
    • Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
    • Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.
  • Evidence Summary: What are the reported activity level factors with measured RMR in healthy older adults?
    • Detail
    • Quality Rating Summary
      For a summary of the Quality Rating results, click here.
    • Worksheets
      • Blanc S, Schoeller DA, Bauer D, Danielson ME, Tylavsky F, Simonsick EM, Harris TB, Kritchevsky SB, Everhart JE.  Energy requirements in the eighth decade of life.  Am J Clin Nutr 2004;79(2):303-10.
      • Malatesta D, Simar D, Dauvilliers Y, Candau R, Borrani F, Prefaut C, Caillaud C.  Energy cost of walking and gait instability in healthy 65- and 80-year olds.  J Appl Physiol 2003;95:2248-2256.
      • Ozeki T, Ebisawa H, Ichikawa M, Nagasawa N, Sato F, Fujita Y.  Physical activities and energy expenditures of institutionalized Japanese elderly women.  J Nutr Sci Vitaminol 2000;46:188-192.
      • Rothenberg EM.  Resting, activity, and total energy expenditure at age 91 - 96 compared to age 73.  J Nutr Health Aging 2002;6(3):177-8.
      • Rothenberg EM, Bosaeus IG, Westerterp KR, Steen BC.  Resting energy expenditure, activity energy expenditure and total energy expenditure at age 91 - 96 years.  Br J Nutr 2000;84:319-324.
      • Rothenberg EM, Bosaeus IG, Steen BC.  Energy expenditure at age 73 and 78 - a five year follow up.  Acta Diabetol 2003;40:S134-138.
  • Search Plan and Results: Caloric Needs 2007
     
  What are the reported activity level factors with measured RMR in older adults who are acutely/chronically ill and/or underweight?

  • Conclusion

    One study was evaluated regarding the physical activity factors with measured RMR in older adults who are acutely/chronically ill and/or underweight.  The use of physical activity levels ranging from 1.25 - 1.5 resulted in mean total daily energy estimates of 25 - 30 kcal/kg/day.  Further research is needed in this area.  

  • Grade: III
    • Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
    • Grade II is Fair;
    • Grade III is Limited/Weak;
    • Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
    • Grade V is Not Assignable.
    • High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
    • Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
    • Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
    • Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
    • Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.
  • Evidence Summary: What are the reported activity level factors with measured RMR in older adults who are acutely/chronically ill and/or underweight?
    • Detail
    • Quality Rating Summary
      For a summary of the Quality Rating results, click here.
    • Worksheets
      • Dambach B, Salle A, Marteau C, Mouzet JB, Ghali A, Favreau AM, Berrut G, Ritz P.  Energy requirements are not greater in elderly patients suffering from pressure ulcers.  J Am Geriatr Soc 2005;53:478-482.
  • Search Plan and Results: Caloric Needs 2007