This research investigated the prevalence of recent and current low food intake (LIRC) and associated factors in adult hospital patients across various medical specialties in Germany. Using data from the nutritionDay survey (2016-2020), LIRC was defined as reduced food intake both on the survey day and the week prior to hospitalization. Multivariate logistic regression analyzed factors associated with LIRC. LIRC was prevalent in 21.1% of patients, varying across specialties. Factors associated with increased LIRC risk included weight loss, poor self-rated health, female sex, uncertain weight loss, digestive disease, mobility limitations, and emergency admission. Cardiac insufficiency and neurological ward admission were associated with decreased risk. Discipline-specific approaches to malnutrition management are suggested.

Sarah Elisabeth Jasmin Böhne, Michael Hiesmayr, Isabella Sulz, Silvia Tarantino, Rainer Wirth, Dorothee Volkert