A Nutritional Status Survey of Older Adults in Long-Term Care in the Yazd Province of Iran

Abstract

It is important to assess the nutritional status of older adults because of its role in ensuring health and quality of life and its association with functional status. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status of an older adult population living in long-term care institutions in the Yazd province of Iran. Fifty elderly subjects were randomly selected from each of two long-term care institutions in Yazd. A 3-day food intake survey was conducted using the direct weighing method and anthropometric measurements for calculating body mass index (BMI) were also collected. Of the participants, 54% of women and 41% of men had a BMI less than 19.9 kg/m(2). The mean intakes of energy, protein, vitamins A and C, riboflavin, and niacin as well as the minerals calcium, phosphorus, and iron, were significantly less than Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for both genders. Thiamin intake was more than adequate in both women and men. In our study, the majority of elderly subjects displayed a poor reported nutritional intake according to the DRIs. Our findings support the development of national nutrition plans for older adults living in long-term care institutions as an important necessity.