title: [Nutritional status and risk factors for malnutrition in low-income urban elders].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status of low-income urban elders by diversified ways, and to analyze the risk factors for malnutrition.
  
  
  METHODS
  The participants in this study were 183 low-income elders registered at a visiting healthcare facility in a public health center. Data were collected using anthropometric measurements, and a questionnaire survey. For data analysis, descriptive statistics, χ²-test, t-test, Fisher's exact test, multiple logistic regression analysis were performed using SPSS 20.0.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Regarding the nutritional status of low-income elders as measured by the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), 10.4% of the elders were classified as malnourished; 57.4% as at high risk for malnutrition; and 32.2% as having normal nutrition levels. The main factors affecting malnutrition for low-income elders were loss of appetite (OR=3.34, 95% CI: 1.16~9.56) and difficulties in meal preparation (OR=2.35, 95% CI: 1.13~4.88).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In order to effectively improve nutrition in low-income urban elders, it is necessary to develop individual intervention strategies to manage factors that increase the risk of malnutrition and to use systematic approach strategies in local communities in terms of a nutrition support system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Sangmyung University, Cheonan, Korea.
authors.forename: Hye Sun
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Hyun
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea. lisook@snu.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Insook
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003863:Depression / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009909:Oral Health; D011203:Poverty; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population
keywords: Elderly; Low-income population; Malnutrition; Nutritional status