Publication:

Morbidity profile and anthropometry among the elderly in an urban slum in Mumbai

Background Geriatric health is gaining in urgency and importance as the world is moving into the later stages of the demographic cycle. Nutritional status of the elderly is a major determinant of their overall health.

Methods The present study is a healthcare facility-based, cross-sectional study among geriatric patients attending the chronic disease clinic focusing on the morbidity profile and anthropometry. Sample size was 89. The measurements done were calf circumference (CC), mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and BMI.

Results More than half the study subjects had three or more chronic morbidities. The prevalence of undernourishment based on calf circumference and MUAC were 11.2% and 12.4% respectively. The correlation between BMI, CC and MUAC were all found to be strong and statistically significant.

Conclusions Both CC and MUAC can be adapted for use in primary care settings to rapidly assess nutritional status of the elderly and plan management protocols.