Determination of malnutrition and nutritional risks in aged individuals between 65 and 84 years in Turkey

BACKGROUND: Nutritional inadequacy, physical impairments, and degenerative diseases are the main causes of a general deterioration in health and quality of life in aged individuals. OBJECTIVE: The to determine malnutrition and nutritional risks in Turkish aged individuals by evaluating nutritional status and recording anthropometric measurements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight hundred and eighty-seven Turkish aged individuals aged between 64 and 85 years participated in the study. Nutritional habits were interrogated by face to face interview method. Anthropometric measurements (body mass index [BMI], waist, hip, and upper-middle arm circumference), nutritional screening index (NSI), and mini nutritional assessment scale (MNA) were used to evaluate nutritional status and malnutrition risk among the participants. RESULTS: As per MNA, 29.8% of females, 22.1% of males were at malnutrition risk whereas 4.5% of females and 4.3% of males were malnourished. In NSI evaluations, 23.3% of females and 17.1% of males were at medium risk whereas, 12.6% of females and 6.5% of males were in high-risk category. A moderate positive correlation was found between the BMIs of the individuals and upper-middle arm circumferences (P < 0.05). Furthermore, a moderate positive correlation was found between MNA and NSI scores (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: It is necessary to evaluate the nutritional and health status of elderly people at a regular basis. Further studies are required for suitable nutritional intervention or recommendations for the aged group.