Community-living elder's views on normal and low weight.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate community-living older adult's understanding of normal and low weight.


METHODS
Cross-sectional exploratory.


METHODS
Three counties in the Western United States.


METHODS
Community-living older adults (n=130), aged 65 and older, with a body mass index (BMI) < 24 kg/m2.


METHODS
Interviews, using semi-structured questions, were analyzed using content analysis.


RESULTS
Only 22% (n=28) of the participants reported knowing the normal weight range for their age, and even fewer (2%, n=3) knew what a low weight was for their age. Most (n=125) reported receiving no information from their health care provider (HCP) on normal and low weight for their age.


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of the participants were unaware that they were at-risk for poor nutritional status and low weight; they reported receiving little information from their HCP on preventing weight loss. Since most community-living older adults do not know what normal or low weight is for their age, they would benefit from receiving this information from their HCP.


BACKGROUND
Knowledge of older adults' views on normal and low weight may lead to early identification of weight problems and improve an older adult's nutritional status.
Thompson Martin
C
C
Department of Nursing, CSU Stanislaus, CA, USA. cmartin2@csustan.edu
Kaiser Jones
J
J
Stotts
N A
NA
Sivarajan Froelicher
E
E
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D012307:Risk Factors; D013851:Thinness / Q000523:psychology; D015431:Weight Loss