Abstract
Malnutrition in the older adult is an ongoing situation in Mexico and is most apparent in individuals that reside in hospitals, nursing homes, and retirement homes. For that reason, it is necessary to evaluate the nutritional status of these adults by means of the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and levels of three serum indicators that are commonly ordered when making malnutrition diagnosis. An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out on 100 older adults residing in eldercare facilities. Nutritional status was evaluated by means of the MNA and three serum indicators (albumin, ferritin, and hemoglobin). Descriptive statistics were used to analyze sociodemographic characteristics, and a Student’s t test, based on gender and reference values, was used to compare mean values of the three serum indicators.  A Chi-square test was used to compare proportions in individuals, based on gender, who had normal nutritional status or were malnourished, and who were at-risk of malnutrition.  A One-way ANOVA with Scheffé post hoc test was used to identify the association between serum indicators and nutritional status of older adults. Of the 100 older adults studied, 53% were men and 47% were women. The mean age was 85±0.7 years. According to the MNA, 20% had normal nutritional status, 55% were at-risk of malnutrition, and 25% were malnourished. The mean indicator values were: albumin 4.7±0.04 g/dL, ferritin 74.2±8.7 ng/mL, and hemoglobin 13.0±0.1 g/dL. No significant association was found between serum indicators and each MNA classification; however, when the same indicators were compared between the sexes, hemoglobin showed a significant difference (P=0.037). Women had lower values but those values did not extend beyond the established physiological range for this population. There was a 55% prevalence of risk of malnutrition in the nutritional status of older adults living in Mexican eldercare facilities in a Mexican province and it was even more frequent in women.ÂÂ
Highlights
The increase in the worldwide adult population is perhaps the most significant demographic event that has had an impact on developing countries, especially in Europe
The objective of the present study was to evaluate the nutritional status in older adults in eldercare facilities (OAEF) in Mexico through the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), and to identify the association of nutritional status with levels of three serum markers ordered as part of the malnutrition diagnosis
Regarding nutritional status evaluation by age, the 80-89 year age group presented with the highest proportions in two of the three MNA classifications and malnourished adults (42%) were principally found in the age group above 90 years
Summary
The increase in the worldwide adult population is perhaps the most significant demographic event that has had an impact on developing countries, especially in Europe. It has been observed for a long time [1]. In Mexico, the population over 60 years of age will have gone from 6.87 million in 2020, to 36.2 million by 2050 [2]. Velazquez et al [7] concluded that in Mexico, knowledge pertaining to nutrition in the elderly is limited, and that protein-energy malnutrition in individuals over 60 years of age is the principal cause of functional deterioration
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
