Firas S. Azzeh1,*, Marea I. Alzhrani1, Areej A. Al-Subhi1, Ashwaq S. Bawazir1, Nouf M. Al-Harbi1, Safaa A. Sindi1, Ayah F. Alattas1, Baraah N. Qutub1, Lutfiah H. Saifuddin1, Toleen O. Mohandis1
1Clinical Nutrition Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
Volume: 10 | Issue: 1 | Pages: 77-83 | June 2024 | https://doi.org/10.54940/ms71144099 | PDF
Received: 27/08/2023 | Revised: 18/10/2023 | Accepted: 27/10/2023
*Corresponding Author: Firas S. Azzeh. Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Background: Old age is a physiological cycle that develops over time and results in senescence, or a reduction in biological capabilities and a body's capacity to respond to metabolic stress. Malnutrition is common in the elderly and refers to deficiency, excess, or calorie imbalance. This cross-sectional research is designed to find out the prevalence of malnutrition and assess the extent of the association between socioeconomic factors and malnutrition in elderly people dwelling in the Western region of Saudi Arabia.
Methods: The study was carried out on 623 elderly people. The inclusion criteria were elderly people aged 60-75 years from the Western Region of Saudi Arabia. An online questionnaire was submitted to eligible participants. The Mini Nutritional Assessment was used to determine the malnutrition status of elderly people.
Results: Study results showed that 37 (5.9%) of the participants were malnourished. Factors associated with malnutrition in the elderly were age, widowed, living alone, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, disability, and dental problems.
Conclusion: The prevalence of malnutrition in elderly people dwelling in the Western region of Saudi Arabia was low. Factors associated with malnutrition were related to age, living alone, being widowed, and diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, heart problems, dental problems, and disability.
Keywords
Malnutrition, Makkah, Mini Nutritional Assessment, Risk factors, Socioeconomic factors.
How to Cite
Azzeh, F. S., Alzhrani, M. I., Al-Subhi, A. A., Bawazir, A. S., Al-Harbi, N. M., Sindi, S. A., Alattas, A. F., Qutub, B. N., Saifuddin, L. H., & Mohandis, T. O. (2024). Assessment of Nutritional Status and Its Associated Factors in the Elderly Population from the Western Region, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study. Journal of Umm Al-Qura University for Medical Sciences, 10(1), 77-83. https://doi.org/10.54940/ms71144099