Prevalence of food insecurity and malnutrition, factors related to malnutrition in the elderly: A community-based, cross-sectional study from Turkey

Background and aimMalnutrition is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in the elderly. The objectives of this study were to determine the malnutrition and food insecurity prevalence in the elderly in the Balcova District of Izmir and to evaluate the risk factors leading to malnutrition.MethodsThis cross-sectional study (n = 650) was carried out among elderly participants in a lower socio-economic area of the Balcova District in Izmir. Malnutrition was determined using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) tool. Food insecurity was defined according to the Nutrition Survey of the Elderly in New York State (NSENY) study. Data was collected at home via face-to-face interview and measuring anthropometric indices. Chi-square and logistic regression were used in analysis.ResultsAmong participants, 62.9% of them (n = 409) were female. The mean age was found to be 74.1 ± 6.3 (65-97). Food insecurity prevalence was 21.7%, whereas for malnutrition and malnutrition risk it was 2.7% and 28.0% respectively. The following factors were found to significantly increase the risk of malnutrition: Increased age (OR = 1.06 P = 0.001) and number of chronic diseases (OR = 1.41 P < 0.001), not being married (OR = 2.13 P = 0.002), bad-very bad perceived economic (OR = 2.49 P = 0.002) and health status (OR = 4.33 P < 0.001), being orthopedically disabled (OR = 1.95 P = 0.047) and presence of food insecurity (OR = 2.49 P = 0.001).ConclusionBased on our research of previous related studies, we expected food insecurity and malnutrition rates to be lower. In order to determine food insecurity and malnutrition risk in the community-dwelling elderly, first it was necessary to establish a monitoring programme.