Assessment of Nutritional Risk and Its Associated Factors among Elderly Women of Old Age Homes of South Suburban Kolkata, West Bengal, India

BACKGROUND: Different physiological, social and psychological factors contribute to nutritional risk in elderly population. Elderly women residing at old age homes are particularly susceptible. OBJECTIVES: To find out psychological and financial factors, if any, associated with malnutrition and risk of malnutrition. METHODS: A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted on 200 residents belonging to > 65 years age group of nine old age homes selected randomly among eighteen old age homes located at south suburban areas of Kolkata from September 2010 to April 2011 using a pre-designed, pilot tested schedule containing Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) Scale and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Intergroup comparison was performed using chi-square test.The study was approved by Institutional Ethics Committee of All India Institute of Hygiene & Public Health, Kolkata,India. Written informed consent was taken from each study participant. RESULTS: Among 158 'possibly malnourished' women, 114 (57%) were 'at risk of malnutrition' and 44 (22%) were malnourished according to MNA. Psychological stress was present among 44% of 'at risk of malnutrition' and 56% 'malnourished' population (df=1, x2= 28.852, p<0.001). About 77% of women having moderate depression were 'at risk of malnutrition' whereas 52% of women having severe depression were 'malnourished' (df =2, x2= 23.769, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: High proportion of 'at risk malnutrition' and 'malnutrition' associated with presence of psychological stress and different grades of depression were the major areas of concern.