A cross-sectional study: Is there sex differences in food acceptance, serum albumin, and nutritional status among residents of social shelters in Surabaya, Indonesia?

Abstract

Background The conceptual framework for Sex Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) is a concept that gives special attention to women. Often, they don’t get the attention they deserve and are still excluded from society. This study was a quantitative study with a cross-sectional design with a total of 44 elderlies in Griya Werdha, Surabaya. This study aimed to determine the sex differences in food acceptance, serum albumin, and nutritional status in elderlies. Methods This was a quantitative study with a cross-sectional design that was located in Griya Werdha, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia. The sample size of this study was 44 elderly. The collected data included personal information collected by using questionnaires, blood pressure examinations, and urine collection - which were then submitted to the Balai Besar Laboratorium Kesehatan Surabaya (Surabaya Central Health Laboratory Institute). Data were analyzed using a chi-square test. Results The results showed that most of the respondents were women (68.2%), aged 71-80 years old (38.63%), underweight nutritional status (55.6%), positive albumin (59.0%) and having pre-hypertension (36.3%). Based on the relationship test, there was no significant relationship between hypertension (p = 0.307), nutritional status (p = 0.534), and leftover food (p = 0.822; p = 1.000 p = 0.809; p = 1.000; p = 0.549) with the sex of the respondent. However, albumin status was associated and had differences based on the sex of the respondent (p = 0.014). Conclusion In conclusion, according to these data, there were no sex differences in food acceptance, hypertension, and nutritional status among residents of social shelters in Surabaya. On the other side, there were sex differences in albumin status.