Researchers in France looked at 10 years of data to see how many people were using special nutrition products at home. They found that more and more people are using nutrition drinks and tube feeding to help them stay healthy, especially older adults. The study tracked over 1.4 million people using nutrition drinks in 2023. Doctors are increasingly using these nutrition supports as part of treating patients with serious illnesses or conditions that make eating difficult. This research shows how nutrition support has become an important part of healthcare in France.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How many people in France use special nutrition products at home (like nutrition drinks, feeding tubes, and IV nutrition) and whether this use is increasing or decreasing over time
  • Who participated: All teenagers and adults in France aged 15 and older who used any type of nutrition support between 2013 and 2023, tracked through the national health system
  • Key finding: The number of people using nutrition drinks increased by about 4.7% each year, reaching 1.4 million users by 2023. Tube feeding also increased by 4.2% yearly. However, IV nutrition (the most intensive type) actually decreased by 2.9% per year.
  • What it means for you: If you or a family member needs nutrition support, you’re not alone—many people use these products. Doctors are recommending them more often, especially nutrition drinks and tube feeding. This suggests these treatments are becoming a normal part of healthcare for people with certain conditions.

The Research Details

Researchers used information from France’s national health system database, which tracks healthcare for almost everyone in the country. They looked at 10 years of data (2013-2023) and counted how many people used different types of nutrition products each year. This is called a ‘descriptive study’ because it describes what’s happening rather than testing whether something works. The researchers looked at who was using these products by checking their age, sex, where they lived, and how wealthy their area was. They repeated this count every year to see if the numbers were going up or down.

This type of study is important because it shows real-world patterns in how doctors are treating patients. Instead of testing one specific treatment in a controlled way, researchers looked at what’s actually happening in everyday medical practice across an entire country. This helps doctors understand trends and plan for future healthcare needs.

This study is strong because it includes almost the entire population of France, not just a small sample. The data comes from official health records, so it’s reliable. However, the study only describes what happened—it doesn’t explain why these changes occurred or whether the treatments actually helped patients. The researchers couldn’t see detailed information about why doctors chose these treatments or what conditions patients had.

What the Results Show

Between 2013 and 2023, the use of nutrition drinks grew significantly. In 2013, there were fewer users, but by 2023, about 1.4 million people in France were using nutrition drinks. This represents a steady increase of about 4.7% each year. Tube feeding (enteral nutrition) also grew, reaching about 44,600 users by 2023, with a yearly increase of 4.2%. The average age of people using nutrition drinks was about 71 years old, suggesting these products are mainly used by older adults. People using tube feeding were slightly younger, averaging 61 years old. This makes sense because older people often have more health problems that make eating difficult. The researchers also noticed that doctors were increasingly choosing high-protein, high-energy nutrition products, which are designed to help people who are weak or losing weight.

One interesting finding was that IV nutrition (parenteral nutrition), which is the most intensive type of nutrition support, actually decreased over the 10-year period. This went down by about 2.9% each year, reaching only about 16,400 users by 2023. This might mean that doctors are finding better ways to help patients eat through their mouth or use tube feeding instead of IV nutrition. The researchers also found that newer types of IV nutrition containing omega-3 (a healthy fat) were becoming more popular, suggesting doctors are trying to improve the quality of these treatments.

This is the first large study to look at nutrition support use across an entire country over such a long time period. Previous smaller studies suggested that nutrition support was becoming more common, and this research confirms that trend. The finding that nutrition drinks and tube feeding are increasing while IV nutrition is decreasing suggests that doctors are shifting toward less invasive treatments when possible. This aligns with general medical trends toward using simpler, safer treatments first.

The study only describes what happened—it doesn’t explain why. Researchers couldn’t see detailed medical information about why doctors chose these treatments or whether patients actually got better. The study also couldn’t track individual patients over time to see if they stayed on these treatments or switched between types. Additionally, the data only comes from France, so results might be different in other countries with different healthcare systems.

The Bottom Line

If your doctor recommends nutrition support, know that this is an increasingly common and accepted treatment. Nutrition drinks are often a good first choice because they’re easy to use. If you can’t eat enough by mouth, tube feeding is becoming more popular and may be recommended. IV nutrition is reserved for people who truly can’t use other methods. Talk with your doctor about which type is best for your situation. (Confidence: High—based on real-world medical practice patterns)

This research matters for older adults with health conditions that affect eating, people recovering from surgery, those with cancer or digestive diseases, and their families. Healthcare providers should care about these trends to plan resources and training. People considering nutrition support should know it’s a common, established treatment. This doesn’t apply to healthy people who eat normally.

Benefits from nutrition support can vary widely. Some people feel stronger within days or weeks, while others need months to see improvement. It depends on your condition and why you need the support. Work with your doctor to set realistic goals.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily nutrition intake by logging which nutrition products you used and how much. Record your energy level (1-10 scale) and any symptoms like nausea or appetite changes. This helps you and your doctor see if the nutrition support is working.
  • If starting nutrition support, set a reminder to take your nutrition drink at the same time each day, or to check your feeding tube before bed. Make it part of your routine like brushing your teeth. This helps you remember and stay consistent.
  • Weekly: Check your weight and energy level. Monthly: Review your nutrition intake log with your doctor. Track any changes in how you feel, your strength, or your appetite. This long-term tracking helps your doctor adjust your nutrition plan if needed.

This study describes how many people use nutrition support in France but doesn’t prove these treatments work or are right for everyone. Nutrition support should only be used under medical supervision. If you’re considering nutrition support, talk with your doctor or a registered dietitian about whether it’s appropriate for your specific situation. This research is informational and should not replace professional medical advice. Individual results vary based on medical condition, age, and other health factors.