Research Journal of Medical Sciences
ISSN: Online 1993-6095ISSN: Print 1815-9346
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Abstract
The health of the elderly is an important factor in defining the health status of a population. Malnutrition in elderly people is very common because daily food consumption reduces with old age. The consumed food is low in calories, contributing to nutritional deficiencies and malnutrition. Other factors like feeding difficulty, psychological distress, reduced mobility being widowed, illiteracy, caring for children, poverty, and poor access to health and social services make elderly more vulnerable for malnutrition. Studies have shown that more than 50% of the older population is underweight and more than 90% has an energy intake below the recommended allowance. To assess the nutritional status among elderly and To identify co‐morbid factors influencing the nutritional status among elderly. A pre tested semi structured questionnaire will be used for obtaining socio‐demographic details and co‐morbidities of the study. Nutritional status will be assessed using mini nutritional assessment tool and 24 hrs dietry recall method. Activities of daily living and instrumental activities of living will be assessed using Barthel and Lawton scale resp. The mean age of study population was 73.79±7.85 years. The minimum age=60 years and maximum age=90 years. The nutritional status by gender was male 50.8% and female 49.2%. In the present study distribution of elderly based on Barthel scale by gender was moderate result was found in 19.70% male and in female 21.30% and Lawton scale by gender was independent in male 31.10% and in female 37.70%. Nutritional assessment of the elderly persons as a part of general health assessment is becoming increasingly important. Interventions to improve the nutritional status of the elderly should focus primarily on older people, the female gender and those who have comorbidities.
How to cite this article:
Soham Khan, Sumedha Joshi, Deepa Velankar and Pratyush Jha. Epidemiological Study to Assess the Nutritional Status and Co‐morbid Factors Influencing it among Elderly in Rural Field Practice Area.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36478/10.59218/makrjms.2024.6.196.203
URL: https://www.makhillpublications.co/view-article/1815-9346/10.59218/makrjms.2024.6.196.203