Nutritional status of the tribal elderly in India

The objective of the paper is to assess the diet and nutritional status of the tribal elderly (> or = 60 years) using data from a cross-sectional study carried out by National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau (NNMB) exclusively in Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP) villages of 9 provincial States in India during 1998-1999. A total of 1,239 elderly completed the diet survey (24-hour recall) and 3,932 elderly completed anthropometric measurements. In general, the mean consumption of all the foods and the median intakes of all the nutrients were below the Recommended Dietary Intakes (RDI) in both men and women. The mean heights and weights significantly decreased with increase in age in both males and females (p < 0.001). The prevalence of Chronic Energy Deficiency (CED = BMI < 18.5) was relatively higher (65.4%) in females compared with their male counterparts (61.8%). The prevalence of CED was significantly higher (p < 0.001) among the elderly living in kutchaand landless households. The tribal elderly are subsisting on inadequate diets, which are reflected in the poor intakes of all the nutrients and higher prevalence of undernutrition. Significantly higher proportion of tribal elderly are undernourished compared with their rural counterparts (p < 0.001).     

老年血液透析过滤病人32例营养状况分析

随着我国人口老龄化的增加,老年终末期肾脏病（ESRD）的发病率不断增长,接受血液透析的老年人比例也呈迅速增长的趋势。由于多种原因,维持性血液透析（MHD）老年病人营养不良的发生率很高,常常导致感染、心脑血管疾病等并发症,直接影响病人的生活质量和生存率。我们应用常规血液透析（HD）及血液透析过滤（HDF）＋HD方法,自身对照研究HDF对老年血液透析病人营养状况的影响。     

Nutritional status is altered in the self-neglecting elderly

Elder self-neglect is the most common form of elder mistreatment. Individuals who cannot provide basic needs for themselves may develop social, functional, and physical deficits. The systematic characterization of self-neglecting individuals is the goal of the Consortium for Research in Elder Self-Neglect of Texas project. This study reports on the nutritional status of self-neglecting elderly. Self-neglectors (SN) were recruited based on referrals along with matched control (CN) subjects. Data are for 40 SN subjects (age 76 +/- 7 y) and 40 CN subjects (76 +/- 7 y). Blood samples were collected and analyzed for indices of nutritional status. SN subjects had a greater serum concentration of total homocysteine than CN subjects (13.6 +/- 4.5 vs. 11.6 +/- 5.6 micromol/L, P < 0.05) and a lower concentration of red blood cell folate (1380 +/- 514 vs. 1792 +/- 793 nmol/L, P < 0.05). Plasma beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol were lower in SN subjects (0.28 +/- 0.2 vs. 0.43 +/- 0.33 micromol/L; 23.2 +/- 9.3 vs. 27.8 +/- 9.3 micromol/L, P < 0.05). SN subjects had a lower serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D than CN subjects (33.7 +/- 16.4 vs. 44.1 +/- 19.6 nmol/L, P < 0.05). These differences in markers of nutritional status show that the self-neglecting elderly are at risk for altered nutritional status, particularly of folate, antioxidants, and vitamin D. Evaluation of these data in relation to other functional and cognitive assessments are critical for evaluating the relation between nutrition and self-neglect.     

Nutritional status in elderly population in kibbutzim

This study was conducted in order to assess the nutritional status of thiamin, riboflavin, pyridoxine, carotene, retinol, ascorbic acid, plasma iron, hemoglobin and plasma albumin of the elderly living in two cooperative farms (Kibbutzim), in Israel. Blood samples from elderly subjects aged 60 to 85 (33 women, 26 men), were collected for analysis. Thiamin, riboflavin and pyridoxine status were assessed by using enzymatic activation coefficient. Transketolase was used for determining thiamin status, glutathione reductase for determining riboflavin status and glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase for pyridoxine status. Transketolase activation coefficient ranged from 1.05-1.59 with a mean 1.18 and SEM 0.02, glutathione reductase coefficient ranged from 1.08-1.50 with a mean 1.25 and SEM 0.07 and glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase activation coefficient ranged from 1.71-2.15 with a mean 1.83 and SEM 0.06. Deficient levels were found in the following: Leucocyte ascorbic acid 5% of the population, hemoglobin 18%, plasma iron 20%, carotene 32% and plasma retinol 20%, thiamin 14% and riboflavin 32%. No deficient state was found in pyridoxine.     

Nutritional status of non-institutionalized elderly Alabamians

Nutritional status of 58 noninstitutionalized elderly persons from rural Alabama was assessed. All sex-race groups had mean energy and nutrient (protein, calcium, iron, vitamins A, B1. B2, C and niacin) intakes greater than two-thirds RDA with the exception of folate. White females had excessive energy consumption, but black women had the highest mean body mass index and hypertension. Forty-five percent of the subjects had serum folate levels <6ng/ml, and values showed a significant correlation with dietary folate intake and hemoglobin values.     

湖北省老年住院患者营养状况调查及评价

目的 评估湖北省老年住院患者营养状况及其影响因素,为老年住院患者合理营养支持提供依据。方法 采取分层随机抽样方法,对2014年5—12月湖北省黄冈市等5个地区住院治疗的4 946例老年患者进行营养状况评估。结果 城市和农村居民肥胖率分别34.16%和15.44%,差异有统计学意义(χ²=30.47,P<0.05);营养风险筛查(NRS)评分中,老年住院患者营养风险发生率、贫血发生率、血清总蛋白(TP)异常发生率、血清白蛋白(ALB)异常发生率、总淋巴细胞计数(TLC)和红细胞计数(RBC)异常发生率分别为53.62%、44.54%、53.98%、59.12%、43.17%和39.39%,其中,城市和农村老年住院患者贫血发生率、TP异常发生率、ALB异常发生率、RBC异常发生率差异均有统计学意义(χ²=21.72、32.85、38.23、21.07,均P<0.05)。结论 随着年龄的增长,农村地区老年住院患者的营养风险和营养不良发生率高于城市地区,需要社会和家庭更加关注农村老年患者的营养状况,及时调整膳食结构和食物品种搭配,合理补充各类营养素。     

Nutritional status of institutionalized and free-living elderly in Alexandria

Because of an increase in the number of elderly and the problems of nutrition associated with them, it is of interest to study the nutritional status of elderly persons in Alexandria City. The purpose of this study was to assess the nutritional status of elderly population and to compare between the nutritional status of those institutionalized and those living free. The study was conducted on 240 elderly persons (120 institutionalized and 120 free living) selected randomly from institutions and from different sites. The basic data, weight, height, body mass index (BMI) of each were recorded. Dietary intake study was done by using 24 hours recall for 3 consecutive days and food frequency were used to obtain the best estimate of food intake. Energy and nutrient intakes were obtained and compared with the recommended dietary allowance (RDAs). The main findings of the study revealed that the mean age of the institutionalized elderly was greater than those living free. Percent of obesity among females was 71.7% among free living and 45% among institutionalized. Under-nutrition was present in 11.7% and 8.3% of institutionalized males and females respectively. Food habits showed that institutionalized subjects consume more amounts of many food items than free-living. Total daily energy intake was found to be below the recommendation for all subjects, with higher intake among institutionalized than free living. Nutrient intakes among institutionalized and free living elderly were inadequate except thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin C and iron. The nutrients least adequately supplied in the diets of elderly are vitamin A and calcium along with energy deficits. In conclusion both institutionalized and free living are at risk for developing nutrient deficiencies. Deficient energy, calcium and vitamin A are common problems among most subjects. The composition of the diet among free living subjects seem to be also poor in some micronutrients. We recommended a nutrition intervention program and nutrition education to improve nutritional status of elderly people.     

Nutritional status of institutionalized elderly people in north Italy

The nutritional status of 91 institutionalized elderly people over 60 years of age was investigated. Particular attention was given to diet, body composition and some biochemical determinations of vitamin nutriture. It was found that approximately 40% of the population are at risk for obesity. Mean daily intake of nutrients, compared with the recommended values for Italy, is insufficient in thiamin, both for men and for women, and in vitamin A for women. The level of fat in the diet is higher than desired. Consumption of eggs, fish, legumes and sweets is low, while milk and dairy products are consumed in large quantities. Thiamin and riboflavin nutriture determined by biochemical tests is not significantly correlated to dietary intake.     

Nutritional status of non institutionalized elderly people in north Italy

The nutritional status of some elderly people - 313 non institutionalized and 37 assisted by public organization - was investigated. As regards weight, muscle and fat area, BMI and fat %, lower values were found for assisted people. The mean daily nutrient intakes in assisted people are below the recommended values for all nutrients, except fats; free living people have higher intakes of protein and fat, and lower intakes of thiamin and retinol equivalents. About 10% and 15% of non institutionalized people showed respectively an inadequate thiamin and riboflavin nutritional status (determined by alpha ETK and TPP levels and by alpha EGR and FAD levels); a worse situation was found for assisted people. Vitamin B6 levels appear adequate for all the population tested.     

Nutritional status of healthy, active, Chinese elderly

1. Anthropometric indices are presented for 402 healthy Chinese elderly subjects leading an active life in the community in Hong Kong. 2. Women had higher body-mass index (weight/height) and body fat, while fat-free mass, arm-muscle circumference and corrected arm-muscle area were higher in men. Body-mass index, fat-free mass, arm-muscle circumference and corrected arm-muscle area did not decline with age. Total body fat was lower in women aged 75 years and above compared with those aged 60-64 years. 3. All values were lower than those for elderly Caucasians. A different criteria for severe wasting malnutrition among elderly Chinese should be established.     

Nutritional status and oxidative stress in an elderly Sardinian population

Weight loss and overweight/obesity-frequent consequences of malnutrition-may impair functional status and worsen concomitant morbidities in the elderly, often through changes in oxidative balance. In order to verify the relationships between these factors, a group of elderly people living on the island of Sardinia (Italy) underwent health and nutritional status assessment and oxidative balance evaluation. The elderly subjects had significantly higher d-ROMs test and body mass index (BMI) values than controls (d-ROMs 325.4 ± 66.3 vs. 295.4 vs 58-9 CARR U, p = 0.006; BMI 28.0 ± 4.6 vs. 21.7 ± 1.4 kg/m², p < 0.0001). The risk of malnutrition in the elderly subjects was evaluated with the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), which showed that 32 of the 111 elderly subjects (28.8%) were at risk of malnutrition, of whom 11 (34%) were overweight and 10 (31-2%) obese. Oxidative stress was negatively and significantly correlated with nutritional status. Oxidative stress may precede malnutrition, even in the absence of weight loss. Routine evaluation of nutritional status and oxidative balance in the elderly may help identify an early risk of malnutrition so that treatment can be personalized.     

Nutritional status and functional capacity of community-dwelling elderly in southern Laos

Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional status and functional capacity of 144 community-dwelling elderly in three rural ethnic groups, namely, the Oy, the Brau and the Lao, of southern Laos.

Methods

The Mini nutritional assessment (MNA) questionnaire and Determine Your Nutritional Health checklist were used to assess nutritional status. The Barthel Activities of Daily Living questionnaire and Lawton and Brody’s Instrumental Activities of Daily Living questionnaire were used to assess the functional capacity of the respondents.

Results

The MNA score results indicated that 92.5 % of Oy respondents, 85.4 % of Brau respondents and 60 % of Lao respondents were malnourished. Analysis of variance tests showed that the MNA scores of the Oy and Lao ethnic groups and of the Brau and Lao ethnic groups were significantly different ( both p < 0.01), but that there was no significant difference between the MNA scores of the Oy and Brau ethnic groups (p > 0.05). In terms of functional capacity, 47.2 % of Oy respondents, 43.9 % of Brau respondents and 20 % of Lao respondents had limitations in their activities of daily living, whereas 98.1 % of Oy respondents, 97.6 % of Brau respondents and 86 % of Lao respondents had limitations in their instrumental activities of daily living. Body mass index, reduced appetite, number of meals consumed daily and presence of common diseases predicted nutritional status in all three ethnic groups; the remaining factors differed by ethnicity. This result implies that ethnic differences and other factors, such as location of the village, services, resources within the village and respondents’ lifestyles, can affect nutritional status.

Conclusions

Because predictors of nutritional status varied by ethnicity, there is a need for area-specific interventions aimed at improving the quality of life of the elderly in these areas.     

Nutritional status of the elderly in rural North China: A cross-sectional study

Objectives

This study aimed to describe the nutritional status of elderly people living in a rural area of North China.

Design

Community-based, cross-sectional prevalence survey.

Setting

3 rural towns of Lvliang City, Shanxi Province, China.

Participants

A sample of 1845 community residents (29.1% of those eligible) 55 years or older (birth before 1958-01-01).

Measurements

The participants were assessed regarding demographic characteristics, height, weight, as well as having a physical examination and blood sampling for serum cholesterol, total homocysteine (tHcy), folate, and vitamin B12 levels.

Results

991 (53.7%) were female and 139 (7.5%) did not complete the anthropometric measurement. Prevalence of underweight and obesity was 3.5% and 24.9% in men and 6.7% and 31.0% in women (P = 0.003, P = 0.005, respectively). Prevalence of hypercholesterolemia and hypocholesterolemia was 13.5% and 52.6% in men and 25.0% and 34.3% in women (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). Prevalence of high LDL-c concentrations was 8.8% in men and 16.8% in women (P < 0.001). The mean serum tHcy in men (28.8 ± 20.1 μmmol/l) was significantly higher than in women (21.0 ± 15.1 μmmol/L, P < 0.001). Prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia (defined as > 15μmmol/L) was 79.7% in men and 65.5% in women (P < 0.001). Prevalence of low folate (defined as < 11 nmol/L) and vitamin B12 levels (defiend as < 185 pmol/L) was 70.8 % and 76.8% in men and 56.5% and 72.6% in women (P < 0.001, P = 0.036, respectively). Correlation coefficients between tHcy, folate, and vitamin B12 indicated an inverse linear correlation (r = ?0.21, P < 0.001, r = ?0.35, P < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusions

As China’s economic climate has developed, the nutritional status of elderly people in the rural parts of the country has improved in some aspects. However, the trend toward obesity will lead to a shift in the burden of obesity-related chronic diseases. In addition, rurally-located elderly people are at high risk of death that may be associated with abnormal serum cholesterol. The data also suggest that severe deficiencies in folate and vitamin B12 levels exist, as well as there being a high prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia. Folate and vitamin B12 supplementation are necessary to prevent related diseases.     

Nutritional status of Chinese-, Korean-, and Japanese-American elderly

Objective To examine the nutritional status of three major subgroups of Asian-American elderly.

Subjects The sample consisted of 169 Chinese, 90 Korean, and 50 Japanese elderly who lived in five apartment buildings for senior citizens in Chicago, Ill.

Main outcome measures Twenty-four-hour dietary recalls were used to evaluate dietary intake. Anthropometric measures of height, weight, and triceps skinfold thickness were also obtained.

Results Many Asian-American elderly consume an inadequate amount of dietary calcium. A large percentage of Korean elderly also consume inadequate amounts of protein and vitamins A and C. Underweight was more common than obesity among these ethnic elderly groups.

Applications The information in this article provides valuable data to the Asian-American community for program planning as well as to health providers who work with individual Asian-American elderly to meet their nutrition needs.     

Nutritional status of vitamin A in a healthy elderly population in Japan

In this study nutritional status of vitamin A (VA) in a healthy elderly population in Japan was examined. Healthy elderly volunteers with mean age of about 67 at the start of the study were recruited. Analysis of serum VA concentration was carried out four times in two consecutive years. No deficient subject was detected from the serum VA concentration. Only small percentages were assessed to be in a low or marginal VA status. Consequently, the nutritional status of VA in the elderly Japanese seemed to be adequate judging from the serum VA concentration. Contrary to that, mean values of daily dietary intake of VA in both females and males were almost acceptable but the respective values varied over a wide range with no correlation with the serum VA concentrations. Accordingly, serum VA concentration provided a more definitive evaluation to assess VA nutriture than its dietary intake.     

延吉市200名朝鲜族和汉族老年人膳食营养状况的调查

目的了解延吉市朝鲜族和汉族老年人的膳食及营养状况。方法随机选择200名60岁以上的朝鲜族和汉族老年人,测量血压,用24小时回忆法进行膳食调查。结果(1)男性每人每日热能摄入量超过推荐摄入量(RNI),女性则基本达到RNI标准;男性早餐热能比明显比女性低,而晚餐热能比明显比女性高,男性高血压者晚餐热能比明显高于血压正常者。(2)朝鲜族的脂肪热能比明显低于汉族(P<001),且未达到适宜摄入量范围;朝鲜族的碳水化合物热能比明显高于汉族(P<001)。(3)朝鲜族男性平均蛋白质摄入量超过RNI标准,汉族男性略低于RNI标准,且朝鲜族男性平均蛋白质摄入量显著高于汉族男性(P<001);两个民族的老年人摄入优质蛋白质的比率为35%～45%,其中大豆蛋白超过15%。(4)两个民族的老年人钙和维生素A的摄入量仅达到RNI标准的一半,锌、硒、核黄素的摄入量均低于RNI标准。结论朝鲜族和汉族老年人对某些营养素的摄取量不相等,老年人钙、维生素A、维生素B2的摄入量严重不足,晚餐热能摄入量偏高与男性高血压患病有关。     

Nutritional status and clinical outcome in elderly female surgical orthopaedic patients

The possible relationship between nutritional status and clinical outcome following orthopaedic hip surgery was investigated. The nutritional status of 60 elderly female patients admitted for elective total hip replacement (THR) and emergency fractured neck of femur surgery (FNF) was measured over time. Specific measures of clinical outcome, including well-being and functional status, were monitored during hospital stay and at 4, 8 and 26 weeks following discharge. Patients were allocated to a high nutritional risk group where any three of the following were less than the 5th percentile value: serum albumin, haemoglobin, triceps skinfold thickness, mid-upper arm muscle circumference and body weight. Using this definition, malnutrition was present in 4% of THR patients and 41% of FNF patients. It was found that the high risk patients had significantly longer convalescence periods, (median stay 27.5 days compared with 0 days, P < 0.0009), and a greater proportion were dependent upon walking frames at 6 months (46% compared with 11%, P < 0.01). Fifty percent of the high risk patients had been living independently prior to admission, in contrast only 29% had returned to their homes at 6 months after discharge. The results indicate an apparent link between clinical outcome and nutritional status based upon the allocation procedure employed, which has the potential for ensuring cost-effective nutritional intervention.     

Nutritional status of an institutionalised elderly group in Segovia (Spain)

The nutritional status of a randomly selected sample of healthy persons, aged 68-91 years, living in an institution of the Spanish Social Services, was evaluated according to the adequation of diet to Recommended Dietary Intakes (DR) and by biochemical measurements. The individual weighing method was used to make the control of food intake covering a week. Mean values obtained suggested that intakes were less than recommended ones for energy, calcium, magnesium, zinc, riboflavin, folic acid and A and D vitamins. Mean intake of protein, iodine, iron, thiamin, niacin, B12 and C vitamins was adequate. For biochemical data most of the individuals present acceptable values, only a few aged show a deficiency status. Serum vitamin A values were low in 13.3% of men and 37.5% of women and serum cholesterol values were high in 8.3% of women.     

Malnutrition on the menu: Nutritional status of institutionalised elderly Australians in low-level care

Background  

Most studies reporting malnutrition in the elderly relate to high-level care. However, one third of Australians in aged care reside in low-level care facilities. Data is limited on their nutritional status.