Nutritional Status Risk Research Articles

Nutritional Survey of an Elderly Russian Population

During March and April 1992, CARE International, with epidemiological support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, conducted household surveys of pensioners 70 years of age or older in two Russian cities. The objectives of these studies were to assess survey feasibility, to report baseline nutritional data, and to determine if demographic identifiers on computerized government listings could be used to target nutritional aid toward the most needy among elderly people. Pensioners in each city were administered questionnaires regarding food consumption and financial and health status. We calculated scores for body mass index (BMI) and Nutritional Screening Initiative (NSI) Checklist (a tool for assessing the nutritional risk status of U.S. elderly). Median pension income was 410 roubles (about $4.00) per month. Forty-five percent of the participants had < or = 500 roubles in savings, 64% reported dental problems, and 60% responded that they had medical problems that interfered with eating. Although the Russian BMI distribution was similar to that of a comparison U.S. elderly population, the Russian NSI score totals were unfavorably elevated. The mean NSI score of 8.8 is more than twice the reported U.S. mean. We found no single demographic identifier to predict the elderly subjects considered at greatest risk, according to NSI scoring. Longitudinal follow-up of these pensioners will be used for continuing assessment of the impact of economic restructuring in Russia upon elderly citizens.

Impact of aging on nutritional risk and nutritional status

The nutritional status of older male veterans was assessed during a three year prospective cohort study. One objective of the study was to compare older old (age ≥ 75) and younger old (65–74 years) to assess the impact of age differences relative to nutritional status risk factors, nutritional status indicators, and health status reports during year one of the study. Sampling was randomized and analysis of nonresponders vs. responders indicated subject representativeness. Exclusion criteria included being born later than 1920, hospitalization within the past 3 months, and living in a nursing home as a permanent residence. The total sample consisted of 300 medical outpatients partitioned as n=219 in the younger old group and n=81 in the older old group. Data collection instruments were either standardized or pilot tested. Quality assurance procedures to assure reliability and validity of the data were conducted through the study's duration. Results of the study include finding that the older old veterans had more risk factors for poor nutrition when compared to the younger old. The older group more often lived alone, had incomes below the poverty level, and had less than a completed high school education. Sickness impact profile, abnormal gait, reduced hand strength, and reduced near vision indicated diminished physical functioning in the older old. However, intakes of 17 nutrients were not significantly different between age groups. Protein intake for younger old (76.8 ± 30.9 gm) was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) different from that of older old (68.6 ± 23.5 gm). Nevertheless, significant (p ≤ 0.001) differences in fat skinfolds, arm muscle circumference, and arm muscle areas were found. Biochemical assessment revealed no statistically or clinically significant indices except for total and LDL cholesterol which was significantly (p ≤ 0.001) higher in the younger old. Although findings may represent cohort differences, results suggest that age has little impact on the nutritional status of older old veterans as compared to younger old veterans.