Assessment of Nutritional Risk and Its Associated Factors among Elderly Women of Old Age Homes of South Suburban Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

BACKGROUND Different physiological, social and psychological factors contribute to nutritional risk in elderly population. Elderly women residing at old age homes are particularly susceptible. OBJECTIVES To find out psychological and financial factors, if any, associated with malnutrition and risk of malnutrition. METHODS A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted on 200 residents belonging to > 65 years age group of nine old age homes selected randomly among eighteen old age homes located at south suburban areas of Kolkata from September 2010 to April 2011 using a pre-designed, pilot tested schedule containing Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) Scale and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Intergroup comparison was performed using chi-square test.The study was approved by Institutional Ethics Committee of All India Institute of Hygiene & Public Health, Kolkata,India. Written informed consent was taken from each study participant. RESULTS Among 158 'possibly malnourished' women, 114 (57%) were 'at risk of malnutrition' and 44 (22%) were malnourished according to MNA. Psychological stress was present among 44% of 'at risk of malnutrition' and 56% 'malnourished' population (df=1, x2= 28.852, p<0.001). About 77% of women having moderate depression were 'at risk of malnutrition' whereas 52% of women having severe depression were 'malnourished' (df =2, x2= 23.769, p<0.001). CONCLUSION High proportion of 'at risk malnutrition' and 'malnutrition' associated with presence of psychological stress and different grades of depression were the major areas of concern.