Risk for low weight in community-dwelling, older adults.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to describe nutritional risk and low weight in community-dwelling elderly.


METHODS
This cross-sectional exploratory study used in-depth interviews conducted on older adults with a body mass index <24 kg/m. Depression, mental state, nutrition, and demographic data were measured.


RESULTS
These elders (n = 130) were mostly female (55%, n = 71), married, white (84%, n = 109), and had a greater than a high school education. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, 3 variables were statistically significantly associated with being severely underweight: those who self-reported having an illness or condition that changed the kind and/or amount of food eaten, unintentional weight loss of 10 lb in the last 6 months, and needing assistance with traveling outside the home.


CONCLUSIONS
Awareness of the high nutritional risk should prompt consideration of early, appropriate assessment and therapy to prevent malnutrition and a declining quality of life.
Martin
Carolyn T
CT
Nursing Department, California State University, Stanislaus, Turlock, CA 95382, USA. cmartin2@csustan.edu
Kayser-Jones
Jeanie
J
Stotts
Nancy A
NA
Porter
Carol
C
Froelicher
Erika Sivarajan
ES
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008603:Mental Health; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009752:Nutritional Status; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012495:San Francisco / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013851:Thinness / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control