Eggs for Healthy Aging: Optimising Nutrition in Older Adults

INTERVENTION: This randomised controlled trial will evaluate the effectiveness of a 12‐week intervention (2 eggs/day) on nutritional status, physical function, and quality of life among older adults living in retirement villages, with outcomes assessed at baseline (T1), week 6 (T2), week 12 (T3), and 6‐month follow up (T4). The study will also identify practical strategies to support egg consumption in this population. Participants will be randomised to one of two treatment arms; intervention or control. Intervention includes increased egg intake to 2 eggs per day, deemed a single serving of protein according to the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating. Control will continue with diet as normal. The intervention group will be provided with raw eggs to cook with along with recipes to the sum 2 eggs per day (14 eggs per week). Adherence will be measured using self‐reported dietary logs, returning of egg cartons and/or verbal confirmation of egg consumption during each delivery of eggs, as well as tracking of egg consumption through 3‐day food records. CONDITION: Diet and Nutrition ‐ Other diet and nutrition disorders Malnutrition risk; ; Malnutrition risk PRIMARY OUTCOME: Nutrition Status[Mini‐Nutrition Assessment (MNA) Baseline (T1), 6‐week (mid intervention; T2), 12‐week (end‐intervention; T3; primary end point), 6‐month (final follow up; T4)] INCLUSION CRITERIA: Living in Victoria, Australia Retirement living (i.e. lives in retirement villages, community dwelling, etc) Aged 65 years or older Currently living with malnutrition (MNA <17), or at risk of malnutrition (MNA 17‐23.5) with self‐reported weight loss or low‐protein intake (<0.8g/kg) confirmed via 3‐day food diary Not intending to lose weight over the next 6 months Willingness to complete dietary records via a computer or smart‐phone or paper‐based food‐diary records Understand and communicate in English Willing to make dietary and/or behavioural changes in line if allocated to the intervention group for 12‐weeks Availability and willingness to attend all study visits and 6‐month follow‐up Ability to provide informed consent SECONDARY OUTCOME: Egg Acceptability [Questionnaire developed containing core questions transferable across each timepoint, with additional questions for each timepoint to gauge barriers, facilitators and experiences with eggs. Baseline (T1), 6‐week (mid intervention; T2), 12‐week (end‐intervention; T3), 6‐month (final follow up; T4)] Nutrition status[Blood lipids (glucose) via CardioChek PA analyser Baseline (T1), 12‐week (end‐intervention; T3)] Nutrition status[Blood lipids (HDL) via CardioChek PA analyser Baseline (T1), 12‐week (end‐intervention; T3)] Nutrition status[Blood lipids (LDL) CardioChek PA Analyser Baseline (T1), 12‐week (end‐intervention; T3)] Nutrition status[Blood lipids (total cholesterol) via CardioChek PA analyser Baseline (T1), 12‐week (end‐intervention; T3)] Nutrition status[Blood lipids (triglycerides) via CardioChek PA analyser Baseline (T1), 12‐week (end‐intervention; T3)] Nutrition status[Protein intake measured by 3‐day food diaries, Baseline (T1), 6‐week (mid intervention; T2), 12‐week (end‐intervention; T3), 6‐month (final follow up; T4)] Physical function[4‐meter walk test (gait) Baseline (T1), 6‐week (mid intervention; T2), 12‐week (end‐intervention; T3), 6‐month (final follow up; T4)] Physical function[Handgrip strength (dynamometry; HGS) Baseline (T1), 6‐week (mid intervention; T2), 12‐week (end‐intervention; T3), 6‐month (final follow up; T4)] Physical function[Katz‐15 Inde Xof Independence in Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Baseline (T1), 6‐week (mid intervention; T2), 12‐week (end‐intervention; T3), 6‐month (final follow up; T4)] Physical function[Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) Baseline (T1), 6‐week (mid intervention; T2), 12‐week (end‐intervention; T3), 6‐month (final follow up; T4)] Physical function[Timed‐Up‐and‐Go test (TUG) Baseline (T1), 6‐week (mid intervention; T2), 12‐week (end‐intervention; T3), 6‐month (final follow up; T4)] Quality of Life[Short Form Survey Instrument (SF‐36) Baseline (T1), 6‐week (mid intervention; T2), 12‐week (end‐intervention; T3), 6‐month (final follow up; T4)]