Nutritional status and associated factors of older persons in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review

Abstract

Background The older person population is rapidly increasing globally, including sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Concurrently, malnutrition is also increasing among older persons in SSA, with a dearth of empirical evidence on nutritional status and associated factors among the older persons in the region to inform effective interventions to promote healthy ageing. Aim/Objective This review assessed the nutritional status and associated factors among older persons in SSA. Method PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library electronic databases were searched for published articles from 2010 to 2021 using keywords and Boolean logic. Also, we carried out a free web-based search to retrieve other relevant evidence that assesses the older persons’ nutritional status. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses flow chart was used to appraise the research articles that responded to the study’s research questions. Findings Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria, from which data were extracted as findings. The malnutrition prevalence was between 6 to 54% among older persons in SSA. We found that the prevalence of malnutrition vary and could be as high as 28.4% in a low socio-economic status area. Of these studies, twelve (12) provided data on undernutrition with prevalence ranging from 2.9 to 41%;10 provided data on overweight (8.1–54.1%) and 5 on obesity (2.7–44.7%). Seventeen of the studies evaluated factors associated with malnutrition; 4 studies revealed the association between socioeconomic status and malnutrition, 7 studies reported a significant association between dietary habits and malnutrition. Four studies showed an association between educational status and malnutrition. Disease conditions associated with malnutrition were reported in four of the studies. Conclusion This review shows that malnutrition is a problem among older persons in SSA coupled with many risk factors which should be given critical attention. We recommend nutrition education for older persons as well as the development of nutrition interventions for this vulnerable group.

Body Mass Index (BMI) and Cutaneous Lesions among the Elderly Patients in a Tertiary Hospital in Rivers State

“…However this high prevalence of under nutrition calls for closer attention to the nutrition of elderly people. The results for this study however falls within the range for underweight prevalence among elderly people as found in a review of studies in Africa [9]. It is also less than the values gotten from a study from a national survey in Bangladesh.…”

Nutritional status and its associated factors among elderly people in Ilu Aba Bor Zone, Southwest Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study

“…The factors considered were taken from a review that assessed the nutritional status and associated factors among older individuals in sub-Saharan Africa and a study conducted to assess dietary diversity among older adults in Zambia. 15 Accordingly, from the prevalence (645) and factors’ (128) sample sizes, the largest sample size (645) was considered for the final. The study area was stratified into urban and semiurban areas.…”

“…The MNA Short Form or the full-length screening tool (18 items)15–17 should be employed, as both have been validated for use in malnutrition screening among the elderly population. The MNA aids in the early detection of malnutrition before it progresses to severe malnutrition with protein depletion.…”

Nutritional status and dietary pattern of the elderly in Thulamela Municipality of Vhembe District

“…Elderly people are at nutritional risk not only because of physiological changes but also because of inadequate food intake, which can result in macro-and micronutrient deficiencies. 11 Poor quality of diets is the leading cause of macro-and micronutrient deficiencies in sub-Saharan Africa. 12 In African countries, several studies reported limited research on the health and well-being of the elderly, and interventional strategies to address the needs of this group are poorly articulated.…”

“…Elderly people are at nutritional risk not only because of physiological changes but also because of inadequate food intake, which can result in macro- and micronutrient deficiencies. 11 Poor quality of diets is the leading cause of macro- and micronutrient deficiencies in sub-Saharan Africa. 12 …”