title: Factors associated with nutrition risk in older Māori: a cross sectional study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate factors associated with nutrition risk among older Māori.
  
  
  METHODS
  Māori aged 75-79 years living in the Northland and Bay of Plenty regions of New Zealand were assessed for nutrition risk using the validated screening tool 'Seniors in the Community: Risk Evaluation for Eating and Nutrition' (SCREENII). Demographic, physical and sociocultural data were collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 67 participants, two thirds (63%) were identified to be at high-risk for malnutrition. More than half (56%) used te reo Māori (Māori language) for everyday conversation and those who rated language and culture as moderately important to wellbeing were at lower nutrition risk. Controlling for age, gender and living arrangements, participants who rated traditional foods as important, were able to access them, had a higher waist-to-hip ratio and an absence of depressive symptoms, were at lower nutrition risk.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cultural factors associated with nutrition risk are related to an indigenous view of health. Participants with a higher waist-to-hip ratio were at lower nutrition risk and this may be a protective factor for older Māori. Interventions to improve the nutrition status of older Māori need to be based on a holistic Māori worldview and acknowledge the importance of traditional Māori foods.
authors.affiliation: School of Food and Nutrition, Massey University, Albany Campus, Private Bag 102904, North Shore Mail Centre, Auckland. c.a.wham@massey.ac.nz.
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wham
authors.forename: Eruera
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Maxted
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Teh
authors.forename: Ngaire
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kerse
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D006694:Holistic Health; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009520:New Zealand; D009749:Nutrition Surveys / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires