Nutritional status using multidimensional assessment in Iranian elderly

Background: Nutrition is an important determinant of health in elderly and nutritional assessment is necessary for development of treatment protocols. The study aimed to evaluate nutritional status using multidimensional assessment in elderly.

Methods: One hundred fourteen subjects (76 men and 64 women) from elderly residence house in Kermanshah, Western Iran were studied. Data was collected using Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA), FFQ, anthropometry, bioelectric impedance, biochemistry tools. Hematologic and biochemistry markers were assessed in 5 ml fasting blood sample.

Results: 46.4% showed normal nutritional status while 38.7% have been classified as mild to moderate malnutrition and 14.9% suffered from severe malnutrition based on MNA scores. Malnutrition using different cut-offs were; body mass index 16.4%, haemoglobin 19%, albumin (with normal CRP level) 9.8%, ferritin 9.4% (<20 µg/l). Lean body mass and percent of body fat was lower than normal in 23% and 21% respectively. There was significant correlation between lean body mass, total body water and MNA score (p<0.05). A strong positive correlation was found between; BMI, percent of body fat, Mid arm circumference and MNA total score (p<0.001).

Conclusion: The study confirmed that MNA score was significantly associated with anthropometric, bioelectric and biochemical findings. It is concluded that an appropriate nutrition intervention program need to introduce to improve nutritional status in older people living in elderly homes.