Introduction

: Older adults (OA) are at risk of malnutrition (overnutrition or undernutrition) due to physiological, feeding, psychological, and social changes associated with aging. This study aimed to estimate the frequency of malnutrition using anthropometry and the Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA) among OA in Medellin, Colombia, and explore the association of malnutrition with sociodemographic factors.

Methods

: A cross-sectional study derived from the Technical Proposal for the Development of the Food and Nutrition Security Profile, 2015 was performed with 1187 adults aged >60 years old among urban and rural households. The sociodemographic characteristics were considered as independent variables, and anthropometric and MNA data were defined as dependent variables. To establish the association between malnutrition and sociodemographic variables, binary and multinomial logistic regression models were used.

Results

: The average age of the participants was 70.0 ± 8.0 years old; 65.2% were women; 61.5% were of low socioeconomic status; and 65.9% attained primary education or lower. Based on body mass index, 57.6% had malnutrition, 20.8% were undernutrition, and 36.8% were overweight/obese. According to the MNA, 5.4% had malnutrition, while 41.4% were at risk of malnutrition. Both conditions occurred more frequently in women (OR = 2.0; 95% confidence interval [ci]: 1.5-2.6), aged >75 years old (OR = 1.7; 95% ci: 1.2-2.4), with low socioeconomic status (OR = 3.2; 95% ci: 1.5-6.8), from rural areas (OR = 1.7; 95% ci: 1.1-2.5), with primary education (or = 2.1; 95% ci: 1.1-4.4) or no education (OR = 3.4; 95% ci: 1.5-7.5).

Conclusion

: Malnutrition among OA in Medellin, Colombia, is high, especially among women living in rural areas with low socioeconomic status and education level. The study findings indicate a public health problem. These conditions must be considered in the implementation of public policies.

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