Abstract

GONZALEZ-FRANCO, Luis Ricardo; GONZALEZ ARELLANES, Rogelio; RAMIREZ TORRES, Maribel  and  ALEMAN-MATEO, Heliodoro. Malnutrition risk and associated factors in a sample of older adults in the community and institutionalized in Yucatan, Mexico. ALAN [online]. 2020, vol.70, n.1, pp.30-39.  Epub Nov 21, 2020. ISSN 0004-0622.  https://doi.org/10.37527/2020.70.1.004.

To assess the prevalence of Malnutrition Risk (MR) in older adults from two municipalities of Yucatan, Mexico, and to identify some associated factors. Cross-sectional study, using non-probabilistic sample in six geriatric care centers, a university clinic, and home visits. Ninety-six adults over 60 years (76% women), 42 residents of geriatric care homes, and 54 non-institutionalized. The MR was assessed by the Mini Nutritional Assessment scale (MNA), along with demographic, functionality, comorbidities, depression, and appetite variables. Body composition was also assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Descriptive analyzes, Student's t, Kolmogorov-Smirnov, chi-square, univariate, and multiple regression analysis were performed. Of the total sample, 47.9% (46 subjects; 37 women and 9 men) presented RD according to the VMEN and 52.1% of the participants were classified with normal nutritional status according to the scale. Mean values of fat-free mass and appendicular skeletal muscle mass were lower in subjects with MR than in those with normal nutritional status (p <0.05). The multiple logistic regression analysis adjusted by gender indicated that age (OR = 1.08, p = 0.005) and depression (OR = 3.79, p = 0.017) were predictor associated factors with MR. Almost forty eight percent of the participants present MR. Actions are required to diagnose and treat MR, avoiding progressing to malnutrition. Age and depression should be included as possible early markers of malnutrition in future population studies and nutritional interventions, in the community and institutionalized older adults in Yucatan.

Keywords : Nutrition Status; Malnutrition Risk; Older Adults; Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA).

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