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Acta Portuguesa de Nutrição
On-line version ISSN 2183-5985
Abstract
LAGE, Joana et al. Assessment of nutritional risk of elderly patients from a Lisbon Health Center. Acta Port Nutr [online]. 2018, n.14, pp.06-09. ISSN 2183-5985. https://doi.org/10.21011/apn.2018.1402.
Introduction: Population aging is considered a worldwide phenomenon. The early identification of malnutrition is essential for an individualized intervention that promotes and protects the health of the elderly. Objectives: to evaluate the prevalence of nutritional risk in a sample of elderly users of a Lisbon Health Center belonging to the Regional Health Administration of Lisbon and Vale do Tejo. Methodology: An observational analytical, cross-sectional study was carried out on 30 elderly patients from a health center in Lisbon. Socioeconomic, clinical and lifestyle data were obtained by the application of a closed response questionnaire. Weight and height were measured according to the recommendations of the Directorate-General of Health. Body Mass Index was assessed by comparison with the Lipschitz reference value. The prevalence of malnutrition and risk of malnutrition was evaluated by the application of the Mini Nutritional Assessment - MNA®. Results: The majority of the elderly (93.3%) consume 3 meals a day and 96.7% of the participants consume daily less water than the recommended by the European Food Safety Authority. Of the elderly evaluated, 36.7% slept less than 6 hours/night. The assessment of Body Mass Index according to Lipschitz’s classification indicated that 54.1% of men and 65.2% of women were overweight. The results of the application of MNA® showed that 16.7% of the elderly were at risk of malnutrition. Conclusions: The prevalence of the risk of malnutrition in the studied sample is relevant, and nutritional monitoring of participants at nutritional and/or overweight risk is crucial to avoid deterioration in their health status and to promote a healthy lifestyle.
Keywords : Nutritional status; Overweight; Malnutrition; Elderly.
