Title:Nutrition Intervention for Undernourished Older Adults amid the
COVID-19 Pandemic
Volume: 19
Issue: 4
Author(s): Fatmah Fatmah*
Affiliation:
- Department of Disaster Management, School of Environmental Science Universitas Indonesia, IDN, Jakarta, Indonesia
Keywords:
Undernourished older adults, orange, almond, potato, cookie, weight, hemoglobin, albumin.
Abstract:
Background: Older adults are vulnerable to disease exposure because of the agerelated
decrease in immune capacity. Older adults with macronutrient and micronutrient deficiencies
may have poor nutritional status and low immune responses, making them prone to
COVID-19 infection.
Objective: This study aimed to assess the effect of orange almond potato cookie supplementation
on weight, hemoglobin, and albumin levels in undernourished older adults during the COVID-19
pandemic.
Methods: A quasi-experimental study design was utilized in a cohort of 31 older adults. The subjects
consumed 50 grams of cookies per day for 4 weeks. The examination was performed to assess
the hemoglobin and albumin levels at pre- and post-study timepoints. Education about balanced
nutrition and anemia was provided throughout the study using leaflets, flipcharts, and videos.
The subjects were weighed weekly to assess compliance; cookies were distributed, and a
daily food consumption record was collected three times a week during home visits.
Results: Weight, hemoglobin, and albumin levels increased by 0.4 kg, 0.1 points, and 1 point,
respectively. The difference was significant for weight, albeit nonsignificant for hemoglobin and
albumin levels. At the end of the study, participants’ knowledge regarding balanced nutrition and
anemia was statistically significantly different, as well as that of energy, carbohydrate, protein,
fat, vitamin C, and iron intake. Weight gain was found to be influenced by the total cookie consumption
(p < 0.035).
Conclusion: Orange almond potato cookies increased the undernourished older adults’ weight
when consumed for 4 weeks.