Year: 2024 | Month: January-March | Volume: 9 | Issue: 1 | Pages: 187-194
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijshr.20240124
Prevalence of Malnutrition and Related Factors in Elderly Population
Magi Varghese1, Divya Varghese2, Deepa S Nair3, Reema Baxla4
1MSc Nursing, Department of Community Health Nursing, St. John’s college of nursing, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India- 560034
2Assistant Professor, Department of Community Health Nursing, St. John’s College of Nursing., Bengaluru, Karnataka, India- 560034
3Associate Professor, Department of Community Health Nursing, St. John’s College of Nursing., Bengaluru, Karnataka, India -560034
4Nursing Tutor, Department of OBG Nursing, St. John’s College of Nursing, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India – 560034
Corresponding Author: Magi Varghese
ABSTRACT
Malnutrition in the elderly is caused by various complicated interaction of several factors and also it is a common issue among them. Studies from low- and middle-income countries reported a substantially greater prevalence of malnutrition than research from high income nations. According to the studies conducted in India overall occurrence of malnutrition in Indian elderly is 17.93%. Additionally, the prevalence of malnutrition was significantly influenced by geography and the tool used to detect it. The prevalence of malnutrition was higher among female 16.67%, hospital settings 28.87%, urban areas 19.29%, and northern region 27.37% of India. Malnutrition in the elderly is linked to decreased mobility, weakened immunity, and cognitive impairment, all of which lower their overall functional capacity. So, elderlies are specifically susceptible to malnutrition; thus, it is important to identify nutritional issues in them and take appropriate action.
Keywords: Malnutrition, Nutritional status, Elderly aged above 60, Mini nutritional assessment tool, Prevalence of malnutrition, Risk factors.