Nutrition, health, and aging in sub-Saharan Africa

Kimokoti, Ruth W; Hamer, Davidson H.

doi:10.1111/j.1753-4887.2008.00113.x

Cited by 75 publications

(72 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…There is a paucity of data regarding the nutritional status of elderly Africans, 37 including South Africans. 17 Charlton et al 2 used the MNA® and determined that malnutrition was present in 5.0% of elderly residents (both community dwelling and in care facilities) in peri-urban Cape Town, and that half of the participants were at risk of malnutrition.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Malnutrition in the elderly residing in long-term care facilities: a cross sectional survey using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA®) screening tool

Robb

Walsh

Nel

et al. 2016

South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition

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Objectives:The objective of this study was to determine and compare the nutritional status of the elderly in two long-term care facilities -one situated in a higher socio-economic area and one in a lower socio-economic area. Design: A cross-sectional study was undertaken. Setting: The study setting comprised two urban areas of Bloemfontein, Free State province, South Africa. Subjects: Sixty-two elderly residing in a long-term care facility from both the higher and lower socio-economic areas agreed to participate and met inclusion criteria (N = 124). Outcome measures: The nutritional status of participants was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA®) questionnaire. Indicators of nutritional status that were assessed as part of the validated MNA® included anthropometry, a global assessment, dietary assessment and subjective assessment. A total score of 24 or more points was interpreted as being wellnourished. Results: Malnutrition was identified in 3.2% of participants from the long-term care facility situated in the higher socio-economic area and 11.3% from the lower socio-economic area. A significantly higher percentage of participants from the lower socioeconomic area were found to be at risk of malnutrition than those from the higher socio-economic area (74.2% vs. 37.1%) [95% CI 19.8%; 51.4%]. Participants from the higher socio-economic area consumed significantly more fluid and protein rich foods than their counterparts. Conclusion: Elderly participants from the lower socio-economic area were more likely to have a poor nutritional status and be at risk of malnutrition. The findings highlight the need to focus on screening for malnutrition in order to promote health and prevent the possible development of nutrition-related co-morbidities in the elderly.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Malnutrition in the elderly residing in long-term care facilities: a cross sectional survey using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA®) screening tool

Robb

Walsh

Nel

et al. 2016

South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition

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“…Furthermore, older individuals are not yet targeted by health programs in sub-Saharan Africa, as the focus of health priorities is on children, childbearing women, and people living with HIV/AIDS [44]. Moreover, primary healthcare systems are not prepared to the extent required to properly manage older adults who often present with several comorbidities.…”

Section: A C C E P T E D Accepted Manuscriptmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in older people in Central Africa: the EPIDEMCA study

Pilleron

Aboyans

M’Belesso

et al. 2017

Journal of the American Society of Hypertension

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Hypertension represents a major global health burden. While older individuals of African descent are at higher risk of hypertension in western countries, epidemiological data on hypertension in older native Africans are scarce. We assessed the prevalence and the level of awareness and control of hypertension among older adults in Central Africa. A total of 1990 individuals 65 years of age and older from the Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic participated into a cross-sectional population-based survey. Hypertension was defined by self-reporting of on-going treatment and/or systolic (SBP)/diastolic (DBP) blood pressures at rest being ≥140 and/or 90 mmHg. Controlled hypertension was defined as treated hypertension with SBP <140 mmHg and DBP <90 mmHg. The overall prevalence of hypertension was 61.1%. Among hypertensive people, 46.7% were aware of their condition and 17.3% were treated. Among the latter 23.8% had their hypertension controlled.Correlates of hypertension were increasing age and body mass index, living in the Republic of Congo, occupation other than employee, no tobacco use, sedentary lifestyle and ≥ 3 meals a day. Our findings indicate a need for the implementation of public health policies to reduce hypertension in older Africans, and to prevent the subsequent burden of cardiovascular diseases.Keywords: Hypertension, epidemiology, elderly, Central Africa M A N U S C R I P T A C C E P T E D ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT 3According to the United Nations, the number of persons 65 years of age and older is expected to more than double by 2035, from 608 million in 2015 to 1.2 billion in 2035 [1]. Almost a quarter (23%) of the total global burden of disease is attributable to disorders in people aged 60 years of age and older, among whom cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading contributors to the burden of disease.Among CVDs, hypertension is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity [2]. one of the global non-communicable disease targets of the World Health Organization is to lower the prevalence of raised blood pressure by 25% by 2025 [4]. However, a global increase in the prevalence of hypertension in low-income countries is now being observed, notably in Sub-Saharan Africa [3].In the United States, the prevalence of hypertension is more than 60% among older people and is higher in older African-Americans when compared to non-Hispanic whites [5]. Ethnic differences cannot be explained solely in terms of socio-economic status [5], suggesting the involvement of other factors. It is therefore important to know more about the epidemiology of hypertension in older native Africans.Several community-based epidemiological studies on hypertension were conducted in Africa [6].Most were carried out in adults and reported prevalence for the ≥65 age group [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. Only one study in rural Tanzania was specifically conducted on the elderly and reported a prevalence of hypertension of 70% in people over 70 years of age [17]. To our knowledge, no data from ...

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“…(i) Sizeable proportions of older persons suffer from malnutrition, 26,27 often multiple chronic physical and mental disease conditions (such as musculo-skeletal and cardiovascular conditions, impaired vision or hearing, depression and dementia) [28][29][30][31][32][33] and consequent impaired health and function. [34][35][36][37][38][39][40] (ii) Health and functional impairments may significantly impact on older persons' quality of life.…”

Section: Policy Challengesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding and Advancing the Health of Older Populations in sub-Saharan Africa: Policy Perspectives and Evidence Needs

Aboderin

2010

Public Health Rev

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Background: Debate on policy challenges associated with the health of older populations in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has intensified in recent years, centering on a concern about older persons' vulnerability to ill-health and their exclusion from health services. Despite international policy calls and formal expressions of commitment on the part of SSA governments, comprehensive policy action has remained scant. The impasse reflects a lack of political will and an uncertainty about required policy approaches, engendered by wide gaps in understanding of old age-related health in the region. Purpose: The purpose of the paper is to pinpoint major approaches and areas of evidence needed as a priority to overcome the impasse in policy on ageing and health in SSA. Methodology: A critical review of relevant SSA and international scientific, policy and development literature conducted as part of a research project on Dimensions and determinants of health in old age in Kenya and Nigeria: implications for policy. Results: Six major areas of evidence and a spectrum of approaches are required to (i) strengthen the case on why action on old age-related health should be pursued in the SSA setting and (ii) clarify what concrete forms such action should take. Conclusion: A systematic research endeavour on the six areas is needed to advance policy and practice on the health of older populations in SSA. If accompanied by an explicit international comparative perspective such research also has the potential to significantly advance scientific debate on ageing and health globally.

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Nutrition, health, and aging in sub-Saharan Africa

Cited by 75 publications

References 47 publications

Malnutrition in the elderly residing in long-term care facilities: a cross sectional survey using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA®) screening tool

Malnutrition in the elderly residing in long-term care facilities: a cross sectional survey using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA®) screening tool

Prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in older people in Central Africa: the EPIDEMCA study

Understanding and Advancing the Health of Older Populations in sub-Saharan Africa: Policy Perspectives and Evidence Needs

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