title: Malnutrition and associated factors in nursing home residents: a cross-sectional, multi-centre study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Malnutrition is a common problem in the elderly living in nursing homes. A clear understanding of associated factors is missing. The aim of this study was to evaluate prevalence of malnutrition and to determine factors independently associated with malnutrition in this setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional, multi-centre study was conducted in 23 nursing homes in Flanders, Belgium. The nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Data on possible associated factors were collected using validated scales.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study included 1188 elderly residents; 38.7% were at risk for malnutrition and 19.4% were malnourished. The presence of a wound/pressure ulcer, a recent hospitalization (<3 months ago), being involved in a tailored nutritional intervention, and suffering from a lower cognitive state were significantly associated with malnutrition. Receiving additional meals provided by family members was negatively associated with malnutrition.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Malnutrition is a prevalent problem in nursing homes in Flanders. Systematic screening and well-defined tailored interventions should be further developed and evaluated in this population at risk.
authors.affiliation: Nursing Science, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, UZ Blok A, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium. Mathieu.Verbrugghe@ugent.be
authors.forename: Mathieu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Verbrugghe
authors.forename: Dimitri
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Beeckman
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Van Hecke
authors.forename: Katrien
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vanderwee
authors.forename: Koen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Van Herck
authors.forename: Els
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Clays
authors.forename: Ilse
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bocquaert
authors.forename: Hanne
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Derycke
authors.forename: Bart
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Geurden
authors.forename: Sofie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Verhaeghe
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001530:Belgium; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009735:Nursing Homes; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009752:Nutritional Status; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires