Nutritional Status and Its Related Factors among Elderly Nursing Home Residents

Background: Elderly population are at higher risk of malnutrition that can increase the morbidity and mortality among them. This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional status and the related factors among elderly nursing home residents.Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study enrolled ۱۰۶۲ (۴۳۹ males, ۶۲۳ females) elderly living in the elderly nursing home residents in Mashad, Iran. The nutritional status of participants was assessed through a Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form scale and Nutrition Day questionnaires.Results: Among the study participants, ۶۴ (۱۸.۵%) were malnourished,۱۴۲ (۳۱.۹%) were at risk of malnutrition and ۹۴ (۴۹.۶%) had no malnutrition. Moreover, elderly males were more susceptible to malnutrition (p=۰.۰۳). Furthermore, reduced food intake in the past three months was significantly correlated with malnutrition in elderly participants (p=۰.۰۰۱). Also, the lower number of nurses and people who care about nutritional status was significantly associated with the higher malnutrition rate in elderly participants (p=۰.۰۲, p=۰.۰۳, respectively).Conclusion: The present study showed that more than half of the elderly population living in elderly nursing homes were malnourished or at risk of malnutrition.

Keywords:

Elderly , Malnutrition , Nursing home , Iran