Nutritional Status and Functional Ability of the Elderly in Rural Area of South India: A Cross Sectional Study
Journal Title: International Journal of Medical Research Professionals - Year 2017, Vol 3, Issue 1
Abstract
Background: India has a rapidly increasing population of elderly persons. Currently 8% of the total population is aged 60 years and above, estimated to rise to 12% by 2025. Nutritional problems among the elderly are underestimated even though highly prevalent. Depression is also common which is highly underestimated by health professionals. Objective: It was to study the nutritional status and to assess the functional ability among the elderly in Mugalur Subcentre of Sarjapur PHC, Bangalore Urban District, Karnataka. Methodology: It was a cross sectional study done in 8 villages under using systematic random sampling method. The tools used were Mini Nutritional Assessment Questionnaire for nutritional status and Anthropometry Katz Index of ADL, Lawton’s IADL scale, Geriatric Depression Scale, Get up and go test, Whisper test for functional status. It was followed by a general Physical Examination. Data was entered in Microsoft Excel and analysed using SPSS V.20. Results: 181 elderly were interviewed with 58% males and 42% females in the study area. The prevalence of malnutrition was found to be 60.2%. 97% were partially dependent for ADL with 55% being freely mobile and 16% screened positive for depression. There was a significant association (p<0.05) between nutritional status and age, chronic co-morbidities. Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of poor nutritional status and impaired functional ability among the study population. High priority needs to be given to adequate nutrition of the elderly thereby improving their quality of life.
Authors and Affiliations
Deepthi Shanbhag, Bhavya Balasubramanya, Jose Austin, Rohan D’Souza, Reetika Sachdeva, Jeson John, Ramakrishna Goud
Keywords
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- EP ID EP542200
- DOI 10.21276/ijmrp.2017.3.1.026
- Views 88
- Downloads 0
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