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Nutritional status of older persons in different settings in greater Khartoum.

Article Excerpt
Abstract

Nutrition is important to the health and functioning of elderly people. This paper describes the general nutrition situation of the Sudanese older people and estimates those who suffer from under nutrition and outlines the insidious effects of this form of malnutrition. It describes the physiological and practical difficulties elderly people face in achieving good nutrition, and the challenge this poses to health workers in different settings.

The objective was to assess the nutritional status and the risk factors and the nutritional vulnerability of the old people (60 years and above) in different settings in Greater Khartoum. Results indicate the prevalence of malnutrition among elderly in all settings (free living subjects in high and low socioeconomic classes; IDP camps and nursing homes) with varying degrees. The paper discussed the demographic characteristics of the older people in addition to family life, health problems as well as the food habits (number of meals, ability to get and prepare food etc). The paper reflects on the functional abilities of the older persons such as hearing and vision problems, manual dexterity, mobility, coordination and disability with all its forms.

Introduction

Both the number and the proportion of older persons--defined as aged 60 and over are growing in virtually all countries, and worldwide trends are likely to continue unabated (WHO, 2004).

Malnutrition is a highly prevalent problem, particularly in older persons (ENHA, 2005). Moreover, attempts to provide them with adequate nutrition pose many practical problems (Holmes, 2004). Estimates of the prevalence of malnutrition vary across studies, as methods for detection are not standardized and much of malnutrition goes undetected. Prevalence of malnutrition may reach 60% in hospitals and nursing homes (Vellas et al., 2004; Guigoz et al. 1996).

In general, underweight in older persons is associated with increased risk of morbidity and mortality (Persson et al. 2002; Eastwood et al. 2002).The death risk is two to four times higher in malnourished elderly people because malnutrition paves the way to worsening of previous diseases or to additional diseases, mainly infectious diseases

Many studies conducted in European countries and other parts of the world showed that 15% of older adults living in the community were suffering from malnutrition (Hajjar et al, 2004) while Ryan et al, (1992) found higher value of 37-40%.

Studies suggest up to 62-70% of cases of malnutrition go unrecognized in hospitalized patients of all ages (Kelly, 2000; Mowe et al, 1991). This was attributed to the Lack of systematic assessment for malnutrition however, 40% of hospitalized elderly were found malnourished upon admission according to Mc Whiter et al, (1994).

For older persons in nursing homes a prevalence of 60-100% malnutritibn was detected (Stratton, 2005; King et al.2004; Abbasi et al, 1991). Studies showed that up to 10% of nursing home residents lose 5% of their body weight within one month and 10% of their body weight within 6 months of admission to a nursing home (Blaum et al, 1995).

The concept of healthy ageing implies a holistic approach to health with a balance between physical, intellectual, social, emotional...

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