Assessment of the nutritional status of individuals aged 65 and above attending to Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty Hospital Geriatrics Outpatient Clinic

Older adults are under risk of malnutrition since physiological, psychological, and social changes in the aging process affect food intake. This risk is associated with prolonged hospitalization period, decreased functional capacity, poor quality of life, and increased mortality. This study has been conducted on 215 elderly individuals who had standardized mini-mental state examination (SMMSE) score of 24 points and above (32.6% male, 67.4% female). The purpose of the study is to perform risk screening and assessment for nutritional status in elderly individuals and to determine the factors that affect this status. A survey form and 24-hour recall method was applied in order to determine general characteristics of individuals, their state of health, nutritional habits, frequency of food consumption and daily energy and nutrient intake. The MNA-long form was used for nutritional screening. Anthropometric measurements have been evaluated. Mean age has been determined as 76.1±7.0 years, mean BMI as 28.4±5.0 kg/m2, and 24.7% of individuals had malnutrition risk while 3.3% had malnutrition. According to the nutritional state of individuals, a statistically significant difference was determined between age, marital status, appetite status, difficulty in chewing-swallowing, meal skipping, teeth loss, depression, anthropometric measurements, and daily energy and macronutrient intake (p<0.05). When we have performed regression analysis, malnutrition risk was associated with marital status, loss of teeth, appetite status, and depression diagnoses. Mean daily energy intake of all individuals was 1703.2±256.8 kcal. Of the total energy used 15.2% is supplied from proteins, 45.8% is from carbohydrates, and 38.7% is supplied from fats. Vitamin B1, vitamin B6, folate, potassium, calcium and magnesium intake of both genders were below required levels. The rate of malnutrition risk in elderly individuals is determined to be at similar rates with literature. In order to determine the individuals who need nutritional support and apply an effective nutritional intervention, routine nutritional screening and evaluation should be performed in the elderly. Key words: Older adult, nutritional state, overweight, malnutrition, nutrient intake