Abstract
Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitudes of the nursing staff in relation to the nutrition of elderly residents in nursing homes. Method: Data were collected on the basis of structured interviews using questionnaires of the nursing staff of 15 randomly chosen nursing homes situated in the County of Aarhus. 136 persons participated. Results: 95 % would accept a weight loss of ≥ 3 % of the body-weight before an active nutritional treatment was initiated. 29 % had knowledge of screening methods of for the prevention of underweight in the elderly, but only 12 % had used screening in practise. 32 % were of the opinion that persons with a standard weight should be weighed once a month, but only 13 % of the participants practised this procedure. 57 % of the participants considered that underweight residents should be weighed according to the recommendations, while 37 % mentioned that it was a standard procedure.
Conclusion: In general the participants had a limited knowledge of clinical nutrition and their attitudes were inexpedient compared to the recommendations. The survey showed that clinical nutrition seems to be a subject of low priority in nursing homes.