Assessment of Nutritional Risk in Community-Dwelling Older Adults (65 to 75 Years) in Kolkata, India

Abstract

This study was conducted to profile nutritional risk factors in a population of community-dwelling older adults in Kolkata, India. We applied the short version of the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF) questionnaire among 500 participants (65 to 75 years)--263 males and 237 females. The prevalence of undernutrition was 8.8% in females and 4.9% in males; a risk of undernutrition was found in 24.5% females and 17.5% males. All those with undernutrition or at-risk were studied further using the full version of the MNA. Data regarding education, occupation, socioeconomic status, and food intake pattern were also collected. Females had a significantly lower (P < 0.01) education level than males; 73.4% males were financially independent, whereas 72.7% females were financially dependent on others. Moderate appetite loss was commonly found (64.9%), and in 24.3% of the participants appetite loss was severe. Digestive and chewing problems were present in 32.4% and 21.6% of study participants, respectively. The rate of psychological stress and/or acute disease 3 months prior to study was 47%, and 62.2% of the study population were taking 3 or more medicines per day. Weight loss of greater than 3 kg and of 1 to 3 kg during past 3 months of the study period was observed in 27% and 32.5% of the population, respectively. Undernourished individuals were also found to consume fewer protein-rich foods. We hypothesize that low education levels and lack of financial independence were the strongest underlying causes of high undernutrition in this population, particularly, among females.

Nutritional assessment of community-dwelling older adults in rural Nepal

“…Consistent with our findings, a 2014 study conducted in urban Kolkata, India also showed that malnutrition was more prevalent among elderly females than males [ 62 ]. The gender disparity that is found in the prevalence of malnutrition among the elderly in this study, while not surprising, is an important finding that requires attention.…”

“…Two studies conducted in India found prevalence of malnutrition at 15% and 23%. However, both had at least 30% of the population in the normal nutritional status range [ 25 , 62 ], which is higher than the current study, with only 11% ( Table 3 ). A 2006 nutritional assessment of rural elderly people in Bangladesh [ 23 ] revealed results most similar to those found in the current study, with 26% prevalence of malnutrition and 62% at risk of malnutrition ( Table 3 ).…”

Prevalence of malnutrition and its determinants in an elderly people in South India

“…Studies conducted in other parts of India reported prevalence of malnutrition between 7 and 19%. [10][11][12][13] While in other countries it is reported between 0.4 and 24%. [15][16][17][18][19] These studies observed different prevalence rates of malnutrition due to use of different definitions for malnutrition and different settings such as private households, general practice, communities and institutions.…”

“…Studies conducted in different parts of India have reported prevalence of malnutrition between 7% and 19% among elderly people using MNA tool and various factors were found to be associated with malnutrition including age, gender, education level, socio-economic status, marital status, number of meals daily, cognitive and physical impairment. [10][11][12][13] However, there is no data available on the prevalence of malnutrition and its associated factors in Khammam district of Telangana state in South India. Keeping this in mind, the present study was designed to assess the nutritional status among community dwelling elderly people in Khammam, and to describe the socio-demographic and health related factors associated with malnutrition.…”

Limited formal education is strongly associated with lower cognitive status, functional disability and frailty status in older adults

“…A previous study showed that frailty in older adults was strongly dependent on levels of education. 14 Reasons underpinning this vulnerability may include malnourishment in this group, for whom greater risk of weight loss, 37 hip fractures and subsequent immobility, 38 poor health habits and increased related comorbidity may be observed. 39 These relationships could be explained by life-long low-income, limited access to information and services (e.g., health advice), poor housing conditions, unfavourable environment for development (e.g., pollution, violence), inadequate nutrition, and comorbidities.…”