Meals-On-Wheels Applicants are a Population at Risk for Poor Nutritional Status

Abstract

Objective To identify older adults with poor nutritional status among the independent-living elderly applying for meals-on-wheels, and to compare how a self-assessment tool and more traditional criteria identify nutritional risk. Design Descriptive study. Subjects/setting Meals-on-wheels applicants (n=230) between 60 and 90 years of age (mean age=77.4±7 years) who were free from terminal illness. Nutrition assessment data were collected in the home of each participant. Main outcome measures Risk assessment for poor nutritional status was determined using anthropometric, dietary, and laboratory data and with a Nutrition Screening Initiative (NSI) self-assessment tool — the “DETERMINE Your Nutritional Health” checklist. Statistical analyses Differences were assessed using Student's t test for unpaired data. Results Seventy-four percent of study participants were found to be at risk for poor nutritional status according to the study criteria, and 98% were at risk for poor nutritional status according to the NSI self-assessment tool. Conclusions The majority of the applicants for meals-on-wheels were at risk for poor nutritional status. Thus, many independent-living older adults may need additional nutrition assessment and intervention to remain independent and in good nutritional status. J Am Diet Assoc. 1996; 96:570-573.