Undernutrition and associated factors in a Portuguese older adult community

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2015

Authors

Santos, ALM (Author) Other; Amaral, Teresa (Author) FCNAUP; Borges, Nuno (Author) FCNAUP

Journal

Title: Revista de Nutrição = Brazilian Journal of Nutrition

Vol. 28

Pages: 231-240

ISSN: 1415-5273

Indexing

Scopus - 10 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00G-BJM

DOI: 10.1590/1415-5273201500030000

Abstract (EN): Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of undernutrition in older adults aged ¿75 years living in communities and to identify the main factors independently associated with undernutrition. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a random sample of family physicians' medical records of 86 older adults aged ¿75 years living in the community studied. Their nutritional status was evaluated using the Mini Nutritional Assessment. Results: A total of 10.5% of the elderly were undernourished and 41.9% were at undernutrition risk. According to the logistic regression multivariable model, the following characteristics: being widowed (OR=6.7; 95%CI=1.8-24.6); being institutionalized (OR=12.6; 95%CI=1.7-90.5); or having a negative self-perception of health (OR=15.0; 95%CI=3.3-69.1) were independently associated with a significant increase of undernutrition risk. Conclusion: The current study shows that undernutrition is highly prevalent in Portuguese older adults aged ¿75 years living in communities. The major factors independently associated with their undernutrition are being widowed and institutionalized and having negative self-perception of health. The results obtained show that undernutrition and its associated factors are very serious problems for older adults and a challenge in their health care.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific