Assessment of the Nutritional Status of Elder People in Qom (Iran) 2014 -15

Process of aging causes various alterations in a person, for instance, elders are very susceptible to malnutrition. Nutrition is one of the factors that play the most important roles in health. According to epidemiologists, there is a strong relationship between malnutrition and death. Malnutrition is a very usual, recognizable, preventable, and curable risk factor that can be treated by early diagnosis and timely effective intervention. The present study aimed to determine the nutritional status of elders in Qom, Iran, 2014-15.

This cross-sectional and descriptive study was performed on 144 people over 85 years old. Mini Nutrition Assessment (MNA) was used to evaluate their nutritional status and the collected data were analyzed using the chi-square test.

According to the MNA classification, 27.1%, 47.2%, and 25.7% of subjects suffered from malnutrition, were exposed to malnutrition, and had desirable nutritional status. Variables, such as the charitable organization (i.e., Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation, State Welfare Organization of Iran, and Foundation of Martyrs), daily use of more than three different mediations, tooth condition, body mass index, number of meals per day, and fruit, vegetables, and proteins intake had significant correlations with the nutritional status.

According to the findings, 74.3% of subjects suffered from or were exposed to malnutrition. Given that malnutrition in elders can be cured by timely and suitable interventions, the authorities of all related organizations should hold serious educational, economic, and livelihood interventions for them.