Publication:

Nutritional status of senior citizens living in old age homes of Kathmandu metropolitan municipality

Background Health and nutrition needs of elderly population are often ignored and unidentified. Older adults population are continuously at risk for malnutrition due to physiological, psychological, social, dietary and environmental risk factors. Assessing nutritional status in the senior citizen is critical in determining their health status. The study presents the nutritional status and the associated factors of the senior citizens living in old age homes of Kathmandu metropolitan municipality, Nepal.

Methods A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted. Total of 237 senior citizens (Above 60 years) of both sexes living at old age homes of Kathmandu valley were assessed for their nutritional status using mini nutrition assessment screening tool.

Results The prevalence of malnutrition among the senior citizens living in old age homes of Kathmandu municipality was found to be 15.5% and those at risk of malnutrition was 61%. Lifestyle related factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, sedentary lifestyle and presence of co-morbidities (diabetes and hypertension) and taking multiple medications were found to be the factors affecting the nutritional status of senior citizen. Significant association was seen between nutritional status and age (p=0.007 and p=0.000), ethnicity (p=0.020) and duration of stay in the old age homes (p=0.037). The proportion of malnourished however was found higher among males as compared to females and also found to be higher among illiterates.

Conclusions There is a greater risk of malnutrition among the elderly population living in old age homes, which seems to be worsening with the advancing age.