Assessment of Nutritional Status and Its Associated Factors in Elderly in Rural Area of Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Introduction: Ageing population is increasing rapidly in India, posing many challenges to health care services. One among the challenge is growing malnutrition in elderly. Malnutrition impairs body composition and body function of elderly thereby impairing their quality of life. Hence measures to prevent and treat malnutrition is need of the hour. Malnutrition is multifactorial and hence study to determine various factors associated with malnutrition becomes essential. Aim and objective: The objective of present study was to assess the nutritional status of elderly and to study the various factors associated with malnutrition. Materials and methods: Each individual in the study was subjected to a personal interview on demographic detail, living condition, literacy and financial status. Functional status was assessed using Instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), depression using Geriatric depression scale (GDS), nutritional status using Mini nutritional assessment (MNA) and caloric intake using 24 hour dietary recall. Result: A significant association was found between the nutritional status and age group more than 75 years, female gender, illiteracy, living alone without family support, status of being financially and functionally dependent, depression and inadequate caloric intake. Conclusion: It is essential to perform nutritional assessment as routine out patient procedure for all elderly to detect malnutrition at earliest and intervene early to prevent deleterious effect of malnutrition on elderly. Multi dimensional approach is needed to educate about need of proper nutrition to elders and their caregivers. Keywords: Caloric intake, Healthy ageing, Malnutrition, Nutrition.