To assess the nutritional status among elderly and factors influencing it, in an urban area, Bengaluru - a cross sectional study

Abstract

Background: Elderly population is on raise globally and in India. Malnutrition in old age, significantly increases the susceptibility to infection, compromises the outcomes of other underlying conditions and diseases and hence increases the risk of morbidity and mortality. The malnourished elderly are more likely to require more hospitalizations, cause burden to caregivers and possess a huge economic cost to society. This facilitates the need for early detection of malnourishment among elderly by assessing the nutritional status as a part of geriatric evaluation therefore appropriate measures can be taken to overcome the malnourishment and associated complications. Hence this study attempts to assess the nutritional status and factors influencing it among elderly, in an urban area, Bengaluru. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 elderly population aged ≥60 years in an urban area, Bengaluru during April to August 2016. Results: Among the study participants majority 182 (60.66%) were females and 64(21.33%) were malnourished. Nutritional status was found to worsen significantly with advancing age (χ²=42.12, P value <0.0001), Illiteracy (χ²=16.19, P value 0.0003), dependent financial status (χ²=16.45, P value 0.0003) and living arrangements without spouse and/or children (χ²= 14.17, P value 0.0278). Good awareness but low utilization levels of the old age social security scheme was noted among the study population. Conclusions: Old age can only be protected, promoted and extended by adding quality to life. Geriatric nutritional status assessment helps to detect the malnourished and those at risk of malnutrition at an early stage, following which an early corrective interventions can improve their quality of life.

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

“…This could be due to a misunderstanding of the benefits of a well-balanced diet, which aids in the selection, purchase and serving of nutritious meals for better health. The current study supports a previous research report that showed that elderly adults with lower educational status were more likely to be malnourished 38–41…”

“…Elderly people living in semiurban settings are partially involved in agricultural activities which could support them in providing them with diversified food items, thus help them reduce the risk of malnutrition than urban dwellers. This research is backed up by a global systemic review that found malnutrition is prevalent in socioeconomically disadvantaged urban settings because of accelerating urbanisation, which is accompanied by decreased food access in urban areas emerging from poverty, resulting in poor nutrition and health outcomes 12 39 41–45. The current study discovered that the study subjects were single as their marital status and that they were at a significant risk of malnutrition and being malnourished, which is in agreement with other studies 19 32 42.…”

Nutritional Status and Associated Factors Among the Community-Dwelling Elderly Population in Debre Berhan Town, North Shewa Zone, Ethiopia

“…This study is in line with the study done in India that found living arrangements without a spouse and children were significantly associated with elderly malnutrition. 29 This may be because of a caregivers' relation to the elder matters more and at this age level, the better caregiver is a related one.…”

“…Focusing mainly on socio-economic and demographic status; health care services; common diseases and behavioral characteristics; and anthropometric measurements interviews were carried out by the MNA tool that focused on screening and assessments found in the Nestle Nutrition Institute. Using the MNA score participants are grouped as malnourished (<17), at risk of malnutrition (17-23.5) or normal nutritional status (24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30) scores. 13 Anthropometric measurements were done by; height measurement, portable height meter was used, and participants measured barefoot, standing in an upright position, with their heel, buttock, shoulder, and prominent occipital against the height meter board.…”

The burden of depression and malnutrition in the elderly population of Western Rajasthan

“…As a result, effective geriatric care would necessitate a holistic view of elderly individuals that considers medical, educational, economic, and psychological variables. Malnutrition should be detected early since it is linked to impaired cognitive function, mobility, and the ability to care for oneself [9]. Similarly, to fight geriatric depression, a targeted intervention including nutritional assessment must be emphasized.…”