Prevalence of malnutrition in a non-institutionalized elderly population of Benilloba, Alicante

The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of malnutrition in a non- institutionalized elderly population of Benilloba, Alicante (Spain), by evaluating their nutritional status. Thirty-seven older adults participated in the study(57% women and 43% men) with a mean age of 80.7 ± 6.1 years, representing 14.8% of the total older population (n = 250) of Benilloba. Anthropometric and lifestyle parameters were measured using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) as the main tool. It was observed that 57% had an adequate nutritional status compared to 43% presented nutritional risk or malnutrition; this situation got worse in people older than 84 years and women. The main negative items registered in the evaluation were: acute disease or stress, to take >3 medicines per day and low liquid intake.