Nutritional Assessment of Institutionalized and Free-living Elderly in Alexandria: A Comparative Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Family Health (Geriatric Health), High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt

2 Department of Nutrition, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) can identify malnourished elderly people and those at risk of malnutrition in short time and can guide optimal early nutritional intervention. Objective: To compare  the nutritional status of institutionalized and free-living elderly in Alexandria. Methods: A cross-sectional study included fifty institutionalized elderly from two governmental elderly homes in Alexandria and fifty four free-living elderly from the community randomly selected . Data about socio-demographic characteristics, medical history and dietary habits were collected and nutritional assessment was carried out using dietary intake method, anthropometric measurements and the MNA tool. Results: Based on body mass index (BMI) estimates, obesity and being at risk of overweight were prevalent among 32% and 18% of institutionalized elderly respectively;  among 7.4% and 33.3%, of free-living ones respectively.  Using MNA, malnutrition and being at risk of malnutrition were 12% and 40%, respectively among institutionalized elderly;  9.3% and 29.6%, respectively among free-living ones. Calcium and vitamins A and C intake were less than the requirements. Conclusion: Malnutrition and being at risk of it were prevalent among the elders in the two studied settings

Keywords

Journal of High Institute of Public Health
Volume 41, Issue 1
January 2011
Pages 159-174

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