Original Research Article
Year: 2016 | Month: October | Volume: 6 | Issue: 10 | Pages: 28-32
An Epidemiological Study of the Nutritional Status of the Elderly in Rural Population of Ambala District, Haryana
Anuj Bishnoi, Sandeep Kumar, Anshu Mittal, R.K.D. Goel, Muzamil Nazir, Harsh Preet, Parul Jain
Dept of Community Medicine, M.M. Medical Institute and Research Centre, Mullana, Ambala, Haryana, India.
Corresponding Author: Sandeep Kumar
ABSTRACT
Background: Department of Community Medicine M.M. Medical Institute and Research Centre Ambala, Haryana, India. Geriatric population is a potentially vulnerable group for malnutrition as per 2011 census of the World Health Organization.
Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of malnutrition and risk of malnutrition among elderly population.
Materials and Methods: This community-based cross-sectional study was carried out in rural field area of MMIMSR Mullana Ambala Haryana, India among 300 elderly individuals aged ≥ 60 years during July 2015 to July 2016 by applying Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) questionnaire. Elderly individuals were interviewed after obtaining informed verbal consent.
Results: MNA showed 26% elderly had malnutrition and 64. % was at risk of malnutrition. Females were significantly more malnourished than males level (p < 0.001), decreased food intake (p < 0.001), and fewer consumption of meals (p < 0.001) were independently associated with lower MNA scores.
Conclusion: Nutritional status of elderly subjects is very poor as detected in this study. There is need and scope for geriatric nutritional interventions in rural population.
Key words: Mini Nutritional Assessment, geriatrics, malnutrition, Haryana.