A comparative cross-sectional study on prevalence of malnutrition and its determinants among the elderly between rural Tiruvallur and Urban Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Background: Aging is a global concern. Malnutrition among the elderly, having multifactorial contributions, is a significant yet often overlooked issue, with prevalence rates varying widely across regions. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to estimate and compare the prevalence and determinants of malnutrition among elderly individuals between the areas of rural Tiruvallur and urban Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Materials and Methods: This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 250 elderly residents in the areas of rural Tiruvallur and urban Chennai, Tamil Nadu (August–October 2024) by simple random sampling using a validated structured questionnaire with the Mini Nutritional Assessment scale. Results: The majority of the study population were aged 60–70 years, with the number of males just over half of the population in both the geographical groups. The overall prevalence of malnutrition was significantly higher in rural areas (19.2%) than in urban areas (8.8%). The determinants of malnutrition were analysed by comparing individual factors between rural and urban elderly populations, with significant differences in age, gender, formal education, socioeconomic status, comorbidities, living status, and substance use. Conclusion: This study highlights a rural-urban disparity in elderly malnutrition, clearly emphasizing the need for targeted nutritional and social interventions, especially for vulnerable rural population.