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Objective: The elderly living in Africa are prone to malnutrition which is complicated by the high prevalence of poverty. This study assessed the nutritional status of the elderly and factors associated with malnutrition. Method: In a cross-sectional survey, the nutritional status of 300 participants aged 65 years and older was determined using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) questionnaire consisting of 18 questions. Socio-demographic data was obtained using a questionnaire. Results: Sixty-six percent were at risk of malnutrition, while 14.6% (n = 44) were malnourished. Participants that did not use electricity as a fuel for cooking versus those that did, had higher odds of being malnourished/ at risk of malnutrition (OR = 1.85 [1.04; 3.31]). Those that did not experience psychological stress or acute disease versus those that did, had lower odds of being malnourished/at risk of malnutrition (OR = 0.33 [0.12; 0.90]). Participants that did not perceive nutritional problems versus those that did, had lower odds of being malnourished/at risk of malnutrition (OR = 0.18 [0.09; 0.34]). Similarly, those that did not perceive their health status as poor versus those that did, had lower odds of being malnourished/at risk of malnutrition (OR = 0.17 [0.08; 0.34]). Discussion: The findings indicate that the elderly with more resources, less stress, and better actual and perceived health were less likely to be malnourished. In such communities, routine screening in the elderly is required to identify those with compromised health and nutritional status.

Adequate intake of iodine is important during pregnancy because of its essential role in foetal growth and neurodevelopment. Data on iodine status of South African pregnant women are scarce, and the salt reduction policy implemented in 2016 may decrease iodine intake of South Africans. This cross‐sectional study assessed the iodine status of pregnant women residing in urban Johannesburg, South Africa. A total of 250 pregnant women were enrolled into the ‘Nutrition during Pregnancy and Early Development’ (NuPED) study and 312 pregnant women into the ‘Assessment of dried blood spot thyroglobulin in pregnant women to redefine the range of median urinary iodine concentration that indicates adequate iodine intake, South Africa’ (STRIPE‐SA) study and were included in this analysis. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was analysed in a spot urine sample. Thyroglobulin (Tg) was measured in serum, and thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) and total thyroxine (tT4) were measured in dried blood spots. The median [interquartile range (IQR)] UIC of pregnant women was 144 (84–234) μg/L. Women in the first (n = 99), second (n = 262) and third (n = 174) trimester had a median UIC of 133 (81–316), 145 (84–236) and 156 (89–245) μg/L, respectively (p = 0.419). Median TSH, tT4 and Tg were 2.7 (2.3–3.2) mU/L, 202 (163–236) nmol/L and 9.2 (5.4–17.9) μg/L, respectively. Based on the median UIC, pregnant women residing in urban Johannesburg may be borderline iodine deficient. These findings highlight the need for ongoing monitoring of iodine status among vulnerable pregnant women, especially considering the recently introduced salt reduction policy in South Africa.

Background The importance of adequate choline intake during pregnancy has been well documented, but low intake is common. Total choline intake, main food sources of choline, as well as associations between choline intake and egg and dairy consumption were determined in a sample of pregnant women attending the high-risk antenatal clinic at a regional hospital in Bloemfontein, South Africa. Methods A cross-sectional study design was used. Trained fieldworkers collected dietary intake data using a validated quantified food frequency questionnaire (QFFQ), after which all food items were matched to foods in the USDA Database for the Choline Content of Common Foods (Release 2) to quantify choline intake. Logistic regression with backward selection (p < 0.05) was used to determine whether egg and dairy consumption were independently associated with a choline intake below the adequate intake (AI) level. Results The median daily intake of choline was 275 mg (interquartile range 185 mg – 387 mg) (N = 681). Most participants (84.7%) consumed less than the AI of 450 mg/day for choline. Meat and meat products, cereals, eggs and dairy contributed mostly to choline intake. Food items that contributed most to choline intake included full-cream milk, maize porridge, brown bread, deep-fried potatoes and deep-fried dough (vetkoek). A choline intake below the AI was significantly associated with lower egg and dairy intakes (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0002 respectively). Conclusion Most pregnant women in the current study had choline intakes below the AI. It is recommended that public health messaging targeted at pregnant women promote the consumption of foods that can significantly contribute to choline intake, such as eggs and dairy.

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