Factors associated with risk of malnutrition in the elderly in south-eastern Brazil

Abstract

These findings could be used to help in the development of health policies and in the establishment of adequate programs aimed at reducing the risk of malnutrition in this population.

Social and Economic Factors and Malnutrition or the Risk of Malnutrition in the Elderly: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

“…In the current meta-analysis, it was observed that low educational level is a risk factor for malnutrition, suggesting the predisposition to malnutrition. A possible explanation is that individuals with a higher educational level have more knowledge about nutrition and health [55], leading to a healthier and more varied diet and, therefore, a better nutritional status than individuals with a low educational level.…”

“…A review of the literature observed that men who lived with their wives had better nutrition than men who lived alone, because their wives were in charge of regularly cooking and grocery shopping [59]. Another explanation is that the elderly who lived alone had a worse nutritional status due to the lack of social interaction with other people [55]. More specifically, in a study investigating the effect of the presence of others, both within the household and during meals, on caloric intake in homebound older adults, it was concluded that the elderly who ate with other people consumed more calories than those who ate alone [60].…”

Body Composition Changes and 10-Year Mortality Risk in Older Brazilian Adults: Analysis of Prospective Data from the SABE Study

“…Extreme BMI is associated with certain comorbidities. Underweight is associated with respiratory, cancer, depression, chronic kidney, and noncirculatory diseases, whereas excessive-weight is associated with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, heart disease, and diabetes 21 .…”

Nutritional Status In A Portuguese Sample Of Institutionalized And Non-Institutionalized Elderly

“…Despite these non-consensual results about those sociodemographic variables influence, nutritional status is undoubtedly an important factor in understanding and promoting successful aging. In this sense, the low educational level appeared to be associated with poor nutritional status (Damião et al, 2017;Torres et al, 2014). Other authors (Alves et al, 2006;Santos, Kislaya, & Gaio, 2016) point to a positive impact of the academic qualifications on obesity, academic level being a protective factor against overweight and obesity, particularly in the female gender.…”

“…Regarding genders, the literature points out different results: Valdés et al (2017) did not find significant differences; Pereira et al, 2015 observed higher prevalence of malnourished and at risk condition among elderly men (76.6%) than women (62.4%); but Ongan and Rakıcıoğlu (2015) and Damião, Santos, Matijasevich, & Menezes (2017) conclude more women are malnourished than men.…”