Original Research Article
Year: 2022 | Month: April | Volume: 12 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 98-109
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20220412
Nutritional Status of Elderly Population at Gokarneshwor Municipality, Kathmandu
Nupur Sharma1,2, Sujan Babu Marahatta1,3,4, Shankar Khanal1,5, Chhabi Ranabhat1, Pawan Pandeya1, Nilima Shrestha1, Sushila Baral1, Anupama Sharma1, Sony Pandey1, Ishwar Bhattarai6
1Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences, Soalteemode, Kathmandu
2Om Health Campus, Chabahil, Kathmandu
3Faculty of Health Science and Technology, Nepal Open University, Lalitpur, Nepal
4Health Research Together Initiative-Nepal (Heart: Initiative), Kathmandu, Nepal
5Central Department of Statistics, Tribhuvan University Nepal
6Reja Pharmacy Pvt. Ltd., Bhaktapur
Corresponding Author: Nupur Sharma
ABSTRACT
Background: Elderly populations are the vulnerable population and yet still neglected one. The main aim of the research is to assess the nutritional status of elderly population at Gokarneshwor municipality, Kathmandu.
Methods: Quantitative cross sectional study was conducted in the time frame of July 15-Jan 15, 2020 among 301 elderly population of Gokarneshwor municipality, Kathmandu. Proportionate systematic sampling was applied for elderly selection. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was performed by using the software Statistical Package for Social Sciences and Microsoft Excel.
Results: Study reflected that most of the elderly (48.5%) had normal body mass index followed by overweight (24.6%), underweight (18.6%) and obese (8.3%) respectively. Currently 27.2% used to consume alcohol and 24.3% used to smoke. More than one third (39.1%) elderly reported psychological stress or disease. Most of the elderly (40.1%) had high pressure followed by Diabetes (27.1%), Chronic Obstructed Pulmonary Disease (23.6%), heart disease (7.1%) and heart stroke (1.9%) respectively. Elderly nutritional status was statistically significant among marital status (P=0.022), food intake in recent three month (P=0.024), weight loss (P=0.001), mobility (P=0.004), self-perception of health status (P=0.029), psychological stress (P<0.001) are associated with malnutrition.
Conclusion: Considerable numbers of elderly were found to be malnourished and many were at risk of malnutrition. Intervention focusing food habit, weight status, mental status, physical activity need to be developed which ultimately helps to balance nutritional status. Further intensive research could discover the factors for improving nutritional status of elderly.
Key words: Nutritional status, elderly population, health status, dietary intake, body mass index.