Publication: Prevalence of Malnutrition among Elderly People Living in a Rural Area of Nepal
Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Nepal Medical Association
Abstract
Abstract:
Introduction: Elderly population is more likely to suffer from malnutrition due to aging-associated factors that influence nutritional status like loss of appetite, swallowing difficulties, digestive problems, and chronic illness. There is insufficient information related to the nutritional status of the elderly in Nepal. Hence, this study aims to determine the prevalence of malnutrition among elderly people living in the rural area of the Kavrepalanchok district.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 320 elderly people aged ≥60 years in a rural area of Kavre district from August to October 2019. Ethical approval was taken from the Institutional Review Committee (IRC-KUSMS: 68/19). Convenient sampling was done. Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Program for Social Sciences version 23.
Results: The prevalence of malnutrition and risk of malnutrition was 37 (11.6%) and 159 (49.7%), respectively. Of 320 elderly persons, 193 (60.3%) males and 127 (39.7%) females, with a mean age of 68.23±7.38 years, participated in this study. The mean BMI was 22.54±3.25 kg/m2 (Mean±SD). The prevalence of malnutrition was higher among females 19 (15%) compared to males 18 (9.3%).
Conclusions: The prevalence of malnutrition and risk of malnutrition is high in the study population. Interventions to improve the nutritional status of the elderly should focus primarily on older people, females, and those who have co-morbidities.
Description
Jagdish Chataut
Department of Community Medicine, Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences, Dhulikhel, Kavre, Nepal
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7542-5463
Shristi Jonche
Department of Community Medicine, Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences, Dhulikhel, Kavre, Nepal
Manish Ghimire
Department of Community Medicine, Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences, Dhulikhel, Kavre, Nepal
Dipesh Tamrakar
Department of Community Medicine, Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences, Dhulikhel, Kavre, Nepal
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0772-3653
Mukta Singh Bhandari
Department of Community Medicine, Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences, Dhulikhel, Kavre, Nepal
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7808-0627
Keywords
body mass index, elderly, nutritional status