Assessment of nutrition and life quality scores of individuals aged 65 and over from different socio-economic levels in Turkey

Determination and assessment of nutritional status of elderly people is important to improve healthy living. The aim of the study was to determine the quality of life (QoL) and nutrition inadequacies of elderly people. For the nutrition risk scanning (NRS) including food consumption frequency with nutrition status of individuals above 65 years of age from different socio-economic status (SES), we selected 1060 elderly subjects. Of them, 400 (200 women, 200 men) are from low SES, 360 (180 women, 180 women) are from medium SES, and 300 (150 women, 150 women) are from upper SES. Their QoL scores were assessed according to the index of competence developed by Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology (TMIG-IC). Parallel with the increase in SES, it has been found that scores of nutrition risk and capability index are increased and it is thought that this result is based on increased education status and pecuniary capabilities (p < 0.05). Body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2) averages have been found as 29.3 ± 4.9 kg/m2 for women, and 26.9 ± 4.0 kg/m2 for men. It has been found that elderly individuals, at each of these three levels, consume milk and milk products at the recommended level (p > 0.05), meat and meat products below the recommended level (p < 0.05), fruit and vegetables at the recommended level (p < 0.05). Lower SES consumes the cereals and cereal products the most. It has been found that daily liquid consumption (water, tea, fruit juice, and buttermilk) does not differ according to SES and is close to the recommended level (2300 ml/day).