An observational study of food supply to older adults
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN15641691 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN15641691 |
| Sponsor | University of Bergen |
| Funder | Trond Mohn stiftelse |
- Submission date
- 07/01/2026
- Registration date
- 17/04/2026
- Last edited
- 17/04/2026
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Overall study status
- Ongoing
- Condition category
- Nutritional, Metabolic, Endocrine
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Nutritional status and social eating affect care needs and quality of life in older adults. Isolation, loneliness and increased food expenses may be of importance for the food intake of older adults. This study plans to identify nutritional status, including weight loss, malnutrition and pathologically low muscle mass in this population, as these conditions are associated with lower quality of life and increased risk of mortality. However, research is limited regarding food supply for home-dwelling older adults in Norway. The measurements and assessments selected for data collection will provide relevant information to investigate the association between food supply and nutritional status in this population.
Who can participate?
Older adults over 65 years of age who live at home.
What does the study involve?
The current study will investigate home-dwelling older adults’ living situations, distance to grocery stores, use of food delivery services and food preparation, using a food supply questionnaire. Further, it will assess nutritional status, quality of life and cognitive function using validated tools, and measure height, weight, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), triceps skinfold thickness (TSF), hand grip strength (HGS) and body composition using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA).
Interested participants will be invited to the study center located at the Research Unit for Health Surveys (RUHS) in Bergen, Norway. An initial screening will be conducted to evaluate whether participants are eligible for inclusion. Those fulfilling the inclusion criteria will be asked to provide informed consent to the Food supply study.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Benefits for the individual participant/patient: During the visit, the study will provide participants with feedback on nutritional status based on measurements of weight, height and calculated BMI.
Benefits for the group: Elderly people represent a vulnerable group with a particular risk of having a suboptimal food intake and poor nutritional status. The study will contribute to increased knowledge about conditions associated with nutritional status and will provide opportunities for preventive measures.
Benefits now or in the future for society or science: The growing proportion of elderly people worldwide and in Norway entails a significant burden on the healthcare system in the form of both a shortage of nursing home places and healthcare personnel. This requires that support and facilitate the elderly can live at home for as long as possible - safely, independently and with a good quality of life. The study will be able to contribute to knowledge about how to improve the food and meal service offered for elderly people living at home.
Possible risks. For the individual participant/patient: There is no invasive procedure planned, and therefore, the risk is very low. For the group, there is no risk associated with the project. For society or science, the study poses no risk to society.
Where is the study run from?
University of Bergen, Norway.
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
December 2025 to December 2026.
Who is funding the study?
Trond Mohn Foundation, Norway.
Who is the main contact?
Dr Zoya Sabir, zoya.sabir@uib.no
Contact information
Principal investigator, Scientific, Public
Wiers Jenssens Vei 33B
Bergen
5089
Norway
| Phone | +47 46930154 |
|---|---|
| zoya.sabir@uib.no |
Study information
| Primary study design | Observational |
|---|---|
| Observational study design | Cross sectional study |
| Scientific title | Food supply to older adults: an observational study |
| Study objectives | The objective of the current study is to investigate the mode of food supply as predictors of malnutrition risk. We will investigate whether factors such as eating alone, distance to the nearest supermarket or dependency on family/friends or municipality for food supply are associated with nutritional status, assessed by body mass index, weight loss, reduced muscle mass, reduced food intake and disease burden, and quality of life. |
| Ethics approval(s) |
Approved 16/09/2025, Regional Committees for Medical and Health Research Ethics (REK South-East D) (Gullhaugveien 1-3, Oslo, 0484, Norway; +4722845821; rek-sorost@medisin.uio.no), ref: 898719 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Investigation of the association between food supply and nutritional status in older adults living at home. |
| Intervention | The current study will investigate home-dwelling older adults’ living situations, distance to grocery stores, use of food delivery services and food preparation, using a food supply questionnaire. Further, it will assess nutritional status, quality of life and cognitive function using validated tools, and measure height, weight, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), triceps skinfold thickness (TSF), hand grip strength (HGS) and body composition using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Interested participants will be invited to the study center located at the Research Unit for Health Surveys (RUHS) in Bergen, Norway. An initial screening will be conducted to evaluate whether participants are eligible for inclusion. Those fulfilling the inclusion criteria will be asked to provide informed consent to the Food supply study. |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
|
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) | |
| Completion date | 31/12/2026 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | |
|---|---|
| Age group | Senior |
| Lower age limit | 65 Years |
| Upper age limit | 100 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 200 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Participants must be 65 years or older 2. Home-dwelling |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Moderate or severe dementia 2. Ongoing cancer treatment 3. Ongoing treatment for severe diseases |
| Date of first enrolment | 11/12/2025 |
| Date of final enrolment | 31/12/2026 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- Norway
Study participating centres
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|
Editorial Notes
03/02/2026: Study’s existence confirmed by the Regional Committees for Medical and Health Research Ethics (REK South-East D), Norway.
