Abstract
Undernutrition is highly prevalent among community-dwelling older adults. Early identification of nutrition risk is important to prevent or treat undernutrition. This study describes the prevalence rates of nutrition risk in community-dwelling older adults (aged ≥ 65) using the same validated tool across different countries and aims to identify differences in nutritional risk factors. Cross-sectional data was obtained from three datasets including participants from the Netherlands (NL), Canada (CA) and New Zealand (NZ). Seniors in the Community Risk Evaluation for Eating and Nutrition II (SCREEN II) was used to assess nutritional risk factors and prevalence of risk. Differences between countries were tested with logistic and linear regression. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to test the influence of sampling strategy. A total of 13,340 participants were included, and 66.3% were found to be at high nutrition risk. After stratifying the data for method of data sampling, prevalence rates showed some differences across countries (NL: 61.5%, NZ: 68.2%, CA: 70.1%). Risk factor items that contributed to nutrition risk also differed among countries: NZ and CA participants scored higher for weight change, skipping meals, problems with meal preparation, use of meal replacements, problems with biting and chewing, low fluid intake and problems with doing groceries, as compared to participants in NL. Low intake of fruits and vegetables and meat were more prevalent in NL. In conclusion: nutrition risk is a worldwide, highly prevalent problem among community-dwelling older adults, but risk factors contributing to nutrition risk differ by country.
Highlights
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that the number of people aged over 65 years was approximately 524 million in 2010, comprising 8% of the world’s population [1]
A screening tool that focuses on risk factors that can lead to impaired food intake and eventual undernutrition is the Seniors in the Community Risk Evaluation for Eating and Nutrition II (SCREEN II)
This study showed different prevalence rates for any nutrition risk according to SCREEN II in Canada (87.7%), the Netherlands (84.1%) and New Zealand (74.0%)
Summary
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that the number of people aged over 65 years was approximately 524 million in 2010, comprising 8% of the world’s population [1]. In order to identify persons at risk for undernutrition, various screening tools are available (such as: Short Nutritional Assessment Questionnaire 65+ (SNAQ65+), malnutrition universal screening tool (MUST) and mini nutritional assessment (short form) (MNA-SF), which are often based on symptoms of (severe) weight loss or a low body mass index (BMI) [5]. A screening tool that focuses on risk factors that can lead to impaired food intake and eventual undernutrition is the Seniors in the Community Risk Evaluation for Eating and Nutrition II (SCREEN II) This tool is a valid and reliable 17-item instrument that, in contrast to other screening tools, assesses upstream and early determinants that can influence food intake (e.g., difficulty with grocery shopping). Identification of these factors makes it possible to take early preventive measures, at a population or individual level, to prevent the onset of undernutrition [7]
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