The ConsuMEER study: a randomised trial towards the effectiveness of protein-rich ready-made meals and protein-rich dairy products in increasing protein intake of community-dwelling older adults after switching from self-prepared meals towards ready-made meals

The risk of undernutrition in older community-dwelling adults increases when they are no longer able to shop or cook themselves. Home-delivered products could then possibly prevent them from becoming undernourished. This single-blind randomised trial tested the effectiveness of home-delivered protein-rich ready-made meals and dairy products in reaching the recommended intake of 1 center dot 2 g protein/kg body weight (BW) per d and >= 25 g of protein per meal. Community-dwelling older adults (n 98; mean age 80 center dot 4 (sd 6 center dot 8) years) switched from self-prepared to home-delivered hot meals and dairy products for 28 d. The intervention group received ready-made meals and dairy products high in protein; the control group received products lower in protein. Dietary intake was measured at baseline, after 2 weeks (T1), and after 4 weeks (T2). Multilevel analyses (providing one combined outcome for T1 and T2) and logistic regressions were performed. Average baseline protein intake was 1 center dot 09 (se 0 center dot 05) g protein/kg BW per d in the intervention group and 0 center dot 99 (se 0 center dot 05) g protein/kg BW per d in the control group. During the trial, protein intake of the intervention group was 1 center dot 12 (se 0 center dot 05) g protein/kg BW per d compared with 0 center dot 87 (se 0 center dot 03) g protein/kg BW per d in the control group (between-group differences P < 0 center dot 05). More participants of the intervention group reached the threshold of >= 25 g protein at dinner compared with the control group (intervention T1: 84 center dot 8 %, T2: 88 center dot 4 % v. control T1: 42 center dot 9 %, T2: 40 center dot 5 %; P < 0 center dot 05), but not at breakfast and lunch. Our findings suggest that switching from self-prepared meals to ready-made meals carries the risk of a decreasing protein intake, unless extra attention is given to protein-rich choices.