Abstract

Introduction: Nutritional deficiencies are common among elderly person aged 60 years or older. Elderly persons suffer the dual burden of overnutrition and undernutrition. These nutritional disorders can be corrected if diagnosed and managed at the earliest. Aim: To estimate the prevalence and factors associated with underweight, overweight, obesity and anaemia among elderly persons in an urban resettlement colony of Delhi, India. Materials and Methods: The present study was a crosssectional survey in which elderly persons who were residents of Dr Ambedkar Nagar, an urban resettlement colony in Dakshinpuri Extension of Delhi were recruited. The study period was from December 2019 to March 2020. A pretested semi-structured interview schedule was used to collect sociodemographic details. The anthropometric measurements, namely, height and weight were carried out as per standard practice. Capillary blood haemoglobin level was measured by a digital haemoglobinometer. Chi-square test for distribution and multivariable logistic regression for association were performed. Results: Data was collected from 959 participants, with a response rate of 91.2%. The prevalence (95%CI) of underweight, overweight and obesity were 15.5% (13.3, 18.0), 21.9% (19.3, 24.6) and 9.6% (7.7, 11.6), respectively. Persons aged 70 years or older and illiterate persons had increased chance of being underweight. Women had increased chance of being overweight or obese. The prevalence of anaemia among participants was 72.1% (95% CI 69.2% - 74.9%), using the cut-off of anaemia as haemoglobin levels <13 gm/dL in men, and <12 gm/dL in women. Conclusion: The prevalence of underweight, overweight/ obesity and anaemia among elderly persons in the study population was high. Community-based measures need to be taken to address them.

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