A large study of over 5,500 hospital patients in China found that being able to walk around during your hospital stay is connected to going home sooner and having better health outcomes. The research also discovered that what patients eat and the type of nutrition support they receive matter too. Patients who could walk without help spent about 3 fewer days in the hospital compared to those with limited mobility. Interestingly, eating complete meals was linked to better mobility, suggesting that nutrition and movement work together to help patients recover faster and return home.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether a patient’s ability to walk around the hospital, combined with what they eat and the nutrition support they receive, affects how soon they can go home after hospitalization
- Who participated: 5,511 adult patients from 20 different hospitals across China between 2010 and 2020. Researchers divided them into two groups: those who could walk on their own and those with limited mobility
- Key finding: Patients who could walk without help were 20-30% more likely to go home and spent about 3 fewer days in the hospital (8 days versus 11 days) compared to those with limited mobility. Eating complete meals was also connected to better mobility and faster discharge
- What it means for you: If you’re hospitalized, staying active and mobile—even with help—may help you recover faster and go home sooner. Eating well during your hospital stay appears to support your ability to move around. However, this study shows a connection, not proof that one causes the other
The Research Details
This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers looked at hospital patients at one point in time and collected information about their mobility, nutrition, and hospital outcomes. The study took place across 20 hospitals in China over a 10-year period (2010-2020). Researchers divided patients into two groups based on whether they could walk without help or had reduced mobility. They then looked at whether these patients received artificial nutrition (like feeding tubes or IV nutrition), how much of their regular meals they ate, and whether they went home or had other outcomes. The researchers used statistical methods to figure out which factors were most important in predicting whether patients would be discharged home.
Understanding how movement, nutrition, and hospital recovery are connected is important because it can help doctors and nurses improve patient care. If hospitals know that mobility and good nutrition help patients go home faster, they can focus on helping patients stay active and eat well during their stay. This approach could reduce hospital stays, improve patient outcomes, and help people recover better
This study included a large number of patients (5,511) from multiple hospitals, which makes the findings more reliable. The study was conducted over 10 years, showing consistent patterns. However, because this is a cross-sectional study, it shows relationships between factors but cannot prove that one thing causes another. The researchers did perform additional analyses to check if their findings were solid and reliable
What the Results Show
Patients who could walk without help had a 20-30% higher chance of being discharged home compared to those with limited mobility. This difference was especially noticeable in patients receiving artificial nutrition support. Mobile patients spent a median of 8 days in the hospital after the nutrition assessment, while those with reduced mobility stayed about 11 days—a difference of 3 days. The ability to walk was strongly connected to going home across different groups of patients, regardless of what type of nutrition support they received. These findings suggest that mobility is an important factor in hospital recovery and discharge outcomes.
Patients who ate complete meals had a significantly lower chance of having reduced mobility compared to those who ate incomplete meals. This suggests that nutrition and mobility work together—good nutrition may help patients stay active, and staying active may help them eat better. The relationship between nutrition and mobility was consistent across different time periods and different regions in China, suggesting these findings are reliable across different settings
Previous research has shown that reduced mobility during hospitalization can lead to complications and worse outcomes for critically ill patients. This study adds to that knowledge by showing that mobility is connected to faster discharge home and shorter hospital stays. The finding that nutrition and mobility are linked together is relatively new and suggests that hospitals should focus on both factors together rather than separately
This study shows that mobility, nutrition, and hospital discharge are connected, but it cannot prove that one causes the other. For example, it’s possible that patients who are healthier are both more able to walk and more likely to go home, rather than walking causing them to go home. The study only looked at patients at one point in time, so it doesn’t show how things change over the hospital stay. Additionally, the study was conducted in China, so the findings may not apply exactly the same way in other countries with different healthcare systems
The Bottom Line
If you’re hospitalized, try to stay as active as possible with your doctor’s approval—even short walks or gentle movement can help. Eat as much as you can during your hospital stay, as good nutrition appears to support your ability to move and recover. Work with your healthcare team to balance rest with activity. These recommendations have moderate confidence based on this research, meaning they’re likely helpful but not absolutely proven (Confidence Level: Moderate)
These findings are most relevant for adult patients in hospitals, their families, and healthcare workers. Hospital administrators and doctors should pay attention to these findings when planning patient care. Patients with serious illnesses, those receiving artificial nutrition, and those with limited mobility should especially focus on working with their care team to improve movement and nutrition. These findings may be less directly applicable to outpatient settings or very short hospital stays
Based on this research, patients who improve their mobility and nutrition during hospitalization may see benefits within days—the study showed a 3-day difference in hospital stay length. However, individual results vary greatly depending on the reason for hospitalization and overall health status. Don’t expect overnight changes, but consistent effort to stay active and eat well may contribute to faster recovery
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track daily mobility during hospitalization: record whether you walked (with or without help), how many steps or minutes of movement you achieved, and your meal completion percentage (what percentage of meals you finished). This creates a simple daily log showing your progress
- Set a small daily mobility goal while hospitalized, such as ‘walk to the bathroom with help’ or ‘sit up for meals.’ Also track meal intake by noting what percentage of each meal you eat. Use the app to celebrate small wins and share progress with your care team
- Create a simple dashboard showing your weekly mobility trend and meal completion rate. Share this with your doctor or nurse during rounds to discuss whether your goals are realistic and to get feedback. Monitor how your mobility and nutrition relate to how you feel and your energy levels
This research shows a connection between mobility, nutrition, and hospital discharge outcomes, but cannot prove that one causes the other. These findings should not replace medical advice from your healthcare team. Always follow your doctor’s specific recommendations about activity and nutrition during hospitalization, as your individual medical situation may require different approaches. If you have questions about mobility or nutrition during a hospital stay, discuss them with your medical team before making changes to your care plan.