Undernutrition in the isolated elderly poor: Perspectives from a developing country humanitarian program

Abstract

adults, the BMI data showed 53% men and 70% women were in the healthy range, 40% men and 21% women were undernourished, and 7% men and 9% women were mildly overweight. The MUAC cutoff point of ≤ 22.5 cm which corresponds to BMI <18.5 kg/m², the WHO cutoff reference for undernutrition, indicated 87% men and 72% women had both normal muscle mass and subcutaneous fat levels and 13% men and 28% women were undernourished. The TSF figures, also based on WHO ranges, indicated 88% men and 96% women had depleted fat stores and 12% men and 4% women had normal fat stores. Body Mass Index showed strong positive correlations with MUAC (r = 0.75, N = 62, p < 0.001) and with TSF (r = 0.58, N = 62, p < 0.001). The supplemental food likely played a positive role in the healthy weight status (BMI) and normal muscle mass and subcutaneous fat levels (MUAC) of the majority of participants (62%, 80% respectively) but not in their depleted fat stores status (TSF). These findings culminated in recommendations that adroitly targeted newly identified nutritional concerns. Increasing dietary variety, especially meat, fish, vegetables and fruits, and increasing the quantity and nutrient density of a nutritional powder made from stoneground peanuts, soya beans, maize, and millet were two new dietary strategies immediately implemented at the conclusion of the study. Positive TSF trends would support the effectiveness of TVAT's food delivery program to improve this crucial nutritional parameter for this population.

Prevalence of malnutrition among old age people in Africa

“…Malnutrition prevalence was reported in four studies as a comparison between institutional versus noninstitutional ( Ijarotimi and Keshinro, 2008 ; Alao et al, 2015 ), high versus low economic classes ( Robb et al, 2017 ), and with and without dementia ( Rouvray et al, 2014 ). However, one study from Tanzania assessed the nutritional status after a post-supplemental food program ( Burani and Longo, 2019 ) and was excluded from the meta-analysis. The majority of the studies ( n = 22) were conducted in community settings, while 11 studies were conducted among institutionalized elders.…”

“…In almost all studies, the possibility of external validity was low as the target population was not nationally representative of the country. However, the quality of two studies ( Jésus et al, 2017 ; Burani and Longo, 2019 ) was not assessed and hence not processed for quantitative data analysis. The first was ( Jésus et al, 2017 ) due to duplication of results from previous data ( Rouvray et al, 2014 ) and the latter ( Burani and Longo, 2019 ) was due to the outcome variable being measured after an intervention ( Supplementary Table S3 ).…”

“…In almost all studies, the possibility of external validity was low as the target population was not nationally Frontiers in Aging frontiersin.org representative of the country. However, the of two studies (Jésus et al, 2017;Burani and Longo, 2019) was not assessed and hence not processed for quantitative data analysis. The first was (Jésus et al, 2017) due to duplication of results from previous data (Rouvray et al, 2014) and the latter (Burani and Longo, 2019) was due to the outcome variable being measured after an intervention (Supplementary Table S3).…”

Prevalence of malnutrition among old people in Africa: systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Malnutrition prevalence was reported in four studies as a comparison between institutional versus non-institutional,44 61 high versus low economic classes,50 and with and without dementia 57. However, one study from Tanzania examined the nutritional status after a post-supplemental food programme63 and was excluded from the meta-analysis. Majority of the studies (n=22) were conducted in community settings, while 11 studies were conducted among institutionalised elders.…”

“…In almost all studies, the possibility of external validity was low as the target population was not nationally representative of the country. However, the quality of two studies56 63 was not assessed and hence not processed for quantitative data analysis. The first56 was due to duplication of results from previous data57 and the latter63 was due to the outcome variable being measured after an intervention (online supplemental table 3).…”