Nutritional Status Assessment of Elder People based on MNA Tool

Average of life expectancy through the worlds is increasingly year by year, leading to an overall increase of geriatric population. Ageing is a complex process with changes in physiological, psychological and social factors that may impact on nutritional status. As prevalence of malnutrition rises with age the aim of current research was to assess the nutritional status of elderly people Based on MNA tool.

A cross sectional study conducted on 303 elderly people, aged 60 years and above. The study approved by Ethics Committee of Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Iran, in 2016. A written informed consent was taken from eligible participants. The Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) is an instrument for identifying older people at risk of malnutrition. Anthropometric assessment (such as weight height, BMI, Mid Arm Circumference Calf Circumference) and demographic assessment are used through the MNA tool to assess the nutritional status of elderly people. Data analyzed by SPSS18 p-value of <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant

Mean age of participants was 70.8(8.4) year, weight was 65.0(12.1) kg, height was 164.1(9.5) cm and BMI was 24.1(4.0) kg/m². Analysis of data by student t. test showed a significant difference between males and females at 5% level. The mean weight, height and BMI in male participants were higher than females (p<0.05). The nutritional status of elder people based on MNA tool showed 57.1% of them were at risk of being malnourished, 18.5% of them were malnourished and 24.4% of them were in the normal status. A significant relationship indicated between BMI and educational levels (p<0.05), while relationship between BMI and monthly income was not significant. Data analysis showed a significant relationship observed between nutritional status with place of life and monthly income (p<5%), while relationship between nutritional status with gender was not significant.

Prevalence of under nutrition in elderly population differs according to health status and living conditions, which by itself poses risk for higher morbidity and mortality. It is therefore especially important to evaluate their nutritional status to improve their prognosis.