Assessment of Nutritional Status and Its Associated Factors among the Elderly in Rural Area in Goa

Background: Malnutrition is a global health crisis, affecting one in three individuals worldwide. In India, where the elderly make up 8.1% of the population, an estimated 5%–10% of them in the community suffer from malnutrition. The main objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence and factors associated with malnutrition among the elderly population in the rural area of Mandur, Goa. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted amongst the elderly residing in the field practice area of the Rural Health and Training Center, Mandur, Goa. A semi-structured questionnaire based on the Mini Nutritional Assessment – Short Form was used to collect data. At a proportion of 17.9%, 95% confidence interval, 5% absolute error, the sample size was 300. Systematic random sampling was employed. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software. Results: The mean age of study participants was 70.78 ± 6.67 years, and most of them were in the 60–69 years age group 142 (47.3%), and females made up 162 (54%) of the population. Most of the study participants 145 (48.3%) were at risk of malnutrition, and 53 (17.7%) had malnutrition. Age, gender, education, financial status, chronic disease, smoking, and alcohol use were found to be significantly associated with malnutrition. Conclusion: This study highlights a troubling prevalence of malnutrition and the risk of malnutrition among the elderly, underscoring the need to include geriatric nutritional assessments in comprehensive health evaluations. Regular monitoring of nutritional status, along with timely interventions, is essential to improve health outcomes, prevent disabilities, and enhance the quality of life for the elderly.