Prevalence of Malnutrition among Elderly People Living in a Rural Area of Nepal

Authors

  • Jagdish Chataut Department of Community Medicine, Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences, Dhulikhel, Kavre, Nepal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7542-5463
  • Shristi Jonche Department of Community Medicine, Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences, Dhulikhel, Kavre, Nepal
  • Manish Ghimire Department of Community Medicine, Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences, Dhulikhel, Kavre, Nepal
  • Dipesh Tamrakar Department of Community Medicine, Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences, Dhulikhel, Kavre, Nepal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0772-3653
  • Mukta Singh Bhandari Department of Community Medicine, Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences, Dhulikhel, Kavre, Nepal https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7808-0627

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31729/jnma.6013

Keywords:

body mass index, elderly, nutritional status

Abstract

Introduction: Elderly population is more likely to suffer from malnutrition due to aging-associated factors that influence nutritional status like loss of appetite, swallowing difficulties, digestive problems, and chronic illness. There is insufficient information related to the nutritional status of the elderly in Nepal. Hence, this study aims to determine the prevalence of malnutrition among elderly people living in the rural area of the Kavrepalanchok district.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 320 elderly people aged ≥60 years in a rural area of Kavre district from August to October 2019. Ethical approval was taken from the Institutional Review Committee (IRC-KUSMS: 68/19). Convenient sampling was done. Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Program for Social Sciences version 23.

Results: The prevalence of malnutrition and risk of malnutrition was 37 (11.6%) and 159 (49.7%), respectively. Of 320 elderly persons, 193 (60.3%) males and 127 (39.7%) females, with a mean age of 68.23±7.38 years, participated in this study. The mean BMI was 22.54±3.25 kg/m2 (Mean±SD). The prevalence of malnutrition was higher among females 19 (15%) compared to males 18 (9.3%).

Conclusions: The prevalence of malnutrition and risk of malnutrition is high in the study population. Interventions to improve the nutritional status of the elderly should focus primarily on older people, females, and those who have co-morbidities.

Additional Files

Published

2021-02-28

How to Cite

Chataut, J., Jonche, S. ., Ghimire, M., Tamrakar, D., & Singh Bhandari, M. (2021). Prevalence of Malnutrition among Elderly People Living in a Rural Area of Nepal. Journal of Nepal Medical Association, 59(234), 146–151. https://doi.org/10.31729/jnma.6013

Issue

Vol. 59 No. 234 (2021): JNMA: Published Monthly

Section

Original Article

License

Copyright (c) 2021 Jagdish Chataut, Shristi Jonche, Manish Ghimire, Dipesh Tamrakar, Mukta Singh Bhandari

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

JNMA allow to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of its articles and allow readers to use them for any other lawful purpose. The author(s) are allowed to retain publishing rights without restrictions. The JNMA work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. More about Copyright Policy.