ReviewBMC geriatrics2026
Plant-based diets for older adults in care homes: a realist synthesis.
Review in BMC geriatrics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Analysis of the Provision of Plant-Based, Vegetarian and Omnivorous Meals in UK Care Homes for Older People.Journal of human nutrition and dietetics : the official journal of the British Dietetic Association · 2026Article
- Plant-based diets for older adults in care homes: a realist synthesis.BMC geriatrics · 2026Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundApproximately 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 appraisal of documents (4) Extract data. (5) Analysis and synthesis.
resultsFrom 36 articles, eight initial programme theories were constructed, taking the form of context-intervention-mechanism-outcome configurations. Contexts identified included willing, open and motivated staff, residents who desire greater variety, and meals that are appetising, easy to consume and nutritionally adequate. Intervention activities included training for chefs, nutrition education for staff and tasting sessions for residents. Cross-cutting mechanisms used across the initial programme theories included increased physical opportunity and increased psychological capability. Outcomes either related to beliefs about or participation in the study or improvements to resident wellbeing.
conclusionThis realist synthesis addresses a gap in the literature relating to the provision of plant-based meals in care homes by exploring ways in which adherence and acceptability of plant-based meals can be enhanced amongst residents and staff. These findings will support the design of an empirical study where the gleaned initial programme theories will be tested in vivo. Additionally, the use of the realist synthesis presents a novel approach to designing complex nutrition interventions for specific contexts.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.