Plant-based diets for older adults in care homes: a realist synthesis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Approximately 450,000 older people reside in UK care homes, which is expected to almost double within 20 years. 3% of the UK population follow a plant-based diet (absent in all animal foods), 13% of whom are aged over 65. Plant-based meals are not mandatory to be offered in care homes, however, providing these meals could positively affect health, and ensure dignity of choice for those who already follow a plant-based diet. This review aims to explore contexts, mechanisms and outcomes that could influence the success of a plant-based meal study.

Methodology

A realist synthesis of the literature was used to develop initial programme theories. The stages of this synthesis was as follows: (1) Initial scoping. (2) Search for relevant evidence (3) Selection and apprais

SUBMITTER: Whyton S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12918464 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature