Assessment of nutritional status of older people in homes for the aged in the Somerset West area

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dc.contributor.authorMarais M.L.
dc.contributor.authorMarais D.
dc.contributor.authorLabadarios D.
dc.date.accessioned2011-05-15T16:18:01Z
dc.date.available2011-05-15T16:18:01Z
dc.date.issued2007
dc.description.abstractOwing to the paucity of data in South Africa regarding older people (>60 years) living in homes for the aged, the aim of this study was to evaluate their nutritional status in a convenient sample of homes for the aged (N=4) in the Somerset West area. In the descriptive, cross-sectional study, nutritional status was evaluated by using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) as well as traditional anthropometric measurements independently. Nutrient intake was determined using menu, plate wastage and food acceptability data. The study population consisted of 53 male and 157 female older people with a mean age of 76.8 years (SD 10.6). The mean body mass index BMI was 25.6 (SD 5.17). According to the MNA, 6% of the older people were malnourished, and 47% were at risk for malnutrition. Had the independent anthropometric measurements been used, fewer older people would have been identified as at risk of malnutrition. After correcting for plate wastage, the average energy consumption was 6 963 kJ. Nutrient values <67% of the recommended intakes for older men and women were observed for vitamin D, folic acid and calcium; and energy, carbohydrates and vitamin C for men specifically. Food items with the most plate wastage (>50%) were the starchy menu items, cooked vegetables and lunch protein dishes. The MNA is a valuable instrument in identifying older people at risk of malnutrition, thus allowing for early intervention. There was a relationship between malnutrition and lower energy intake, emphasising the need for meticulous menu planning and monitoring of food consumption, and the need for addressing specific micronutrients.
dc.description.versionArticle
dc.identifier.citationSouth African Journal of Clinical Nutrition
dc.identifier.citation20
dc.identifier.citation3
dc.identifier.issn16070658
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/14475
dc.subjectascorbic acid
dc.subjectcalcium
dc.subjectcarbohydrate
dc.subjectfolic acid
dc.subjectprotein
dc.subjectvitamin D
dc.subjectadult
dc.subjectaged
dc.subjectanthropometric parameters
dc.subjectarticle
dc.subjectbody mass
dc.subjectcaloric intake
dc.subjectcarbohydrate intake
dc.subjectcross-sectional study
dc.subjectdietary intake
dc.subjectearly intervention
dc.subjectenergy consumption
dc.subjectfemale
dc.subjectgeriatric care
dc.subjecthome for the aged
dc.subjecthuman
dc.subjectintervention study
dc.subjectmajor clinical study
dc.subjectmale
dc.subjectmalnutrition
dc.subjectnutritional assessment
dc.subjectnutritional status
dc.subjectnutritional value
dc.subjectprotein intake
dc.subjectSouth Africa
dc.subjectvegetable
dc.subjectvitamin intake
dc.subjectvitamin supplementation
dc.titleAssessment of nutritional status of older people in homes for the aged in the Somerset West area
dc.typeArticle
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