Association between bed-rest time, food intake, and constipation in older nursing home residents

Aim

This study aimed to investigate the associations between bed-rest time and food intake and between bed-rest time and constipation in older nursing home residents.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from the Long-term Care Information System for Evidence (LIFE) database. We used data collected from older nursing home residents registered in the LIFE database between April 2022 and March 2023. We compared outcome data between the short-bed-rest group (≥9 h out of bed per day) and the long-bed-rest group (<9 h out of bed per day). The outcomes were the percentage of food intake provided in the last 3 days, the percentage of energy sufficiency (the percentage of energy intake to energy requirements), and the incidence of constipation.

Results

The short-bed-rest group consisted of 265 people (53.9%). The short-bed-rest group showed a significantly higher percentage of food intake (93.1 ± 12.3 vs. 85.2 ± 21.6), a higher percentage of energy sufficiency (104.8 ± 19.4 vs. 92.2 ± 26.2), and a lower incidence of constipation (6.0% vs. 18.5%) than the long bed-rest group. Multivariable analyses revealed that shorter bed-rest time was independently and significantly associated with the percentage of food intake (standardized coefficient: 0.28, P < 0.001), the percentage of energy sufficiency (standardized coefficient 0.30, p < 0.001), and incidence of constipation (odds ratio: 0.12, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Bed-rest time is associated with food intake and constipation in older nursing home residents. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2025; 25: 583–587.