Nutritional Risk and Body Mass Index Predict Hospitalization, Nursing Home Admissions, and Mortality in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Results From the UAB Study of Aging With 8.5 Years of Follow-Up

Abstract

Nutritional risk was associated with all-cause hospitalizations, nonsurgical hospitalizations, and mortality. Nutritional risk may affect the disablement process that leads to health services utilization and death. These findings point to the need for more attention on nutritional assessment, interventions, and services for community-dwelling older adults.

Nutritional Vulnerability in Older Adults: A Continuum of Concerns

“…Suboptimal nutrition contributes to the disablement process of older adults, wherein they become progressively more frail and dependent upon health care resources, leading to increased hospital and nursing home admissions as well as increased emergency department use [89, 100]. While some contributory causes of malnutrition in older adults are immutable, many others are amenable to change.…”

“…appropriate body weight and caloric intake targets). In fact, being obese increases the likelihood of institutionalization, although it can also be a reason for admission refusal by LTC facilities lacking the infrastructure to provide proper care for obese residents [87–89]. …”

Increased Physical Activity and Fitness above the 50th Percentile Avoid the Threat of Older Adults Becoming Institutionalized: A Cross-sectional Pilot Study

“…Obesity or mere overweight has already been shown to be associated with undesired events like hospitalization, nursing home admission, and mortality in older adults. 32 Maybe because an excessive body weight limits ADLs performance 33 and is associated with health conditions. 34 In the present study, exceeding 26.7 kg/m 2 was shown to lead to nursing home admission, particularly over 80 years of age.…”

“…34 In the present study, exceeding 26.7 kg/m 2 was shown to lead to nursing home admission, particularly over 80 years of age. This value, which is classified as overweight, 32 corresponded to the 50 th percentile for the population studied and was computed for both men and women. Other research 33 identified the BMI range from 22.5 to 25 kg/m 2 as the optimal range for successful and healthy aging, preventing disability and decreasing the risk of premature mortality.…”

What Does the Evidence Reveal Regarding Home- and Community-Based Nutrition Services for Older Adults?

“…Some of the demonstrated outcomes of under-nutrition in older individuals include poorer functional status [3], greater health services utilization, and higher likelihood of mortality [4]. Combatting under-nutrition is difficult because gaining access to sufficient and healthy foods can be particularly challenging for this population [5].…”