Summer Nutritional Status and Appetite Are Associated with the Frequency of Hot Meal/Drink Intake among Japanese Older People.

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between the frequency of consuming cold or hot meal/drink during summer and the nutritional status, appetite, and energy intake among Japanese older people. The cross-sectional study was conducted in August 2021, targeting 60 adults aged 65 y and older. The Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) was used for nutritional status evaluation, the Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire (SNAQ) for appetite scoring, and food frequency questionnaire to assess energy intake. Participants reported on the frequency of consuming cold or hot meal/drink during the summer. Those who reported consuming hot meals "moderate" (p=0.033) or "frequent" (p=0.005) during summer had a higher BMI than those who reported minimal consumption. Participants who reported "frequent" consumption of hot meals in summer had higher MNA scores than those who reported "minimal" consumption (p=0.014). Participants who reported a "frequent" consumption of hot meals had higher SNAQ scores compared to those who reported "minimal" (p<0.001) or "moderate" (p=0.001). Similarly, participants who reported a "frequent" consumption of hot drinks had higher SNAQ scores than those reporting "minimal" (p=0.021) or "moderate" (p=0.008). The nutritional status and appetite during summer in Japanese older people were associated with the frequency of consuming hot meals and drinks.