Assessing the link between nutritional status, functional capacity, and morbidity profile in the community-dwelling elderly of Maharashtra, India

Background

Ageing challenges elderly individuals, increasing the risk of malnutrition due to physical, psychological, functional, and social changes. Poor nutritional status is directly related to functional capacity and can increase the risk of morbidity and mortality. Early identification of the risk of malnutrition among the elderly can promote independence and well-being with a good quality of life.

Objectives

To assess the interrelationship between the nutritional status and indicators of functional capacity and morbidity profile among the elderly population from the Pune District of Maharashtra, India.

Methods

The study followed a cross-sectional survey design. The convenience sampling technique was used to recruit participants. Three standardised instruments - the Mini-Nutritional Assessment – Short Form (MNA-SF), the Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living (Katz ADL) and the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale-Geriatric (CIRS-G) – were used to assess the nutritional status, functional capacity and morbidity profile respectively. The data were analysed using Chi-square tests of association, and independent t-test and one-way ANOVA for difference in means.

Results

Participants were 100 older adults (age range: 60–90 years). 24 % of the sample were malnourished and 33 % were at risk for malnutrition. Dependent participants had a significantly lower MNA-SF score (5.6 ± 3.5) than independent participants (10.4 ± 3.0) (p < 0.001). There was a significant association between poor nutritional status and morbidity profile specific to disability in organ systems like eyes, ears, throat, haematopoietic, musculoskeletal, and upper GI systems, as well as psychiatric illness (p ≤ 0.05). The CIRS-G score was significantly higher for malnourished participants (12.6 ± 6.2) than those at risk of malnutrition (8.9 ± 4.8) and well nourished (6.0 ± 4.0) (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Nutritional status was associated with functional capacity and indicators of morbidity profile in the elderly. Incorporating routine nutritional risk screening as a component of healthcare can facilitate early identification of at-risk individuals, enabling timely intervention and improving health outcomes. Future research should prioritise investigating routine screening programs to assess the risk of malnutrition and the effectiveness of nutrition interventions such as dietary modifications and supplementation to prevent malnutrition in older adults.