Association between nutritional status and metabolic diseases in community-dwelling older adults

Objective To analyze the nutritional status of community-dwelling older adults and to explore its potential association with metabolic diseases. Methods This cross-sectional study enrolled 1,384 older adults who underwent health examinations at the Jingling Community Health Service Center of Baoji City between March 2025 and March 2026. Nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), and fasting blood glucose, serum lipid profiles, uric acid levels, and anthropometric indicators were measured. Results The prevalence of malnutrition was 1.30 and 7.23% of the older adults were identified as being at risk of malnutrition. Among the metabolic diseases, hypertension had the highest prevalence (40.03%). No significant between-group differences were observed in the prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, hyperuricemia, or coronary heart disease (all p > 0.05). Hyperlipidemia showed a significant between-group difference in univariate analysis ( p < 0.05), but this difference was no longer statistically significant after adjustment for covariates ( p = 0.08). Multivariable logistic regression revealed that underweight (BMI < 20 kg/m 2 ) was significantly associated with abnormal nutritional status (OR = 22.97, 95% CI: 14.46–36.50, p < 0.001). Conclusion Hypertension was notably prevalent among community-dwelling older adults, and underweight was significantly associated with abnormal nutritional status. No clear statistical association was identified between nutritional status and metabolic diseases such as hypertension or hyperuricemia. Dynamic monitoring of body habitus in older adults should therefore be emphasized to facilitate the early identification and intervention of malnutrition, thereby improving their metabolic health.