Ghabashi Mai Adil, Azzeh Firas Sultan
Clinical Nutrition Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
JMIR Aging. 2024 Sep 16;7:e55572. doi: 10.2196/55572.
The global population of older adults is on the rise. As people age, their physical functions gradually decline, leading to a decrease in the overall functioning of different organ systems. Due to these changes, older individuals are at a higher risk of encountering various adverse health outcomes and complications, such as malnutrition.
This study aims to investigate the prevalence of malnutrition and its associated factors among older adults dwelling in the western region of Saudi Arabia. We have analyzed these factors separately for both men and women to understand any potential sex differences.
A nonrandomized cross-sectional study was conducted for older adults aged ≥60 years in the western region of Saudi Arabia. Personal information was obtained through a closed questionnaire. The Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form was used to determine the malnutrition status of older adults. Consequently, the individuals were divided into 2 groups: normal and malnourished. To assess the risk factors related to malnutrition, the odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI were determined using a binary logistic regression.
The prevalence of malnutrition in men and women was around 7% and 5%, respectively. Potential risk factors related to malnutrition in men were higher age (OR 1.263, 95% CI 1.086-1.468; P=.002), being widowed (OR 8.392, 95% CI 1.002-70.258; P=.049), and having dental problems (OR 9.408, 95% CI 1.863-47.514; P=.007). On the other hand, risk factors associated with malnutrition in women were lower BMI (OR 0.843, 95% CI 0.747-0.952; P=.006) and being disabled (OR 18.089, 95% CI 0.747-0.952; P=.006).
The findings of this study provide important insights into the risk factors for malnutrition among older adults in the western region of Saudi Arabia. While the overall prevalence of malnutrition was relatively low, the analysis revealed distinct risk factors for older men and women. Interventions developed based on the identified risk factors may prove effective in addressing the issue of malnutrition within this population.
全球老年人口数量正在上升。随着人们年龄的增长，其身体机能逐渐衰退，导致不同器官系统的整体功能下降。由于这些变化，老年人面临各种不良健康后果和并发症的风险更高，如营养不良。
本研究旨在调查沙特阿拉伯西部地区老年人中营养不良的患病率及其相关因素。我们分别对男性和女性的这些因素进行了分析，以了解是否存在潜在的性别差异。
对沙特阿拉伯西部地区年龄≥60岁的老年人进行了一项非随机横断面研究。通过封闭式问卷获取个人信息。使用简易营养评估简表来确定老年人的营养不良状况。因此，将个体分为两组：正常组和营养不良组。为了评估与营养不良相关的风险因素，使用二元逻辑回归确定比值比（OR）和95%置信区间（CI）。
男性和女性的营养不良患病率分别约为7%和5%。男性与营养不良相关的潜在风险因素包括年龄较大（OR 1.263，95% CI 1.086 - 1.468；P = 0.002）、丧偶（OR 8.392，95% CI 1.002 - 70.258；P = 0.049）以及有牙齿问题（OR 9.408，95% CI 1.863 - 47.514；P = 0.007）。另一方面，女性与营养不良相关的风险因素包括较低的体重指数（BMI）（OR 0.843，95% CI 0.747 - 0.952；P = 0.006）和残疾（OR 18.089，95% CI 0.747 - 0.952；P = 0.006）。
本研究结果为沙特阿拉伯西部地区老年人营养不良的风险因素提供了重要见解。虽然营养不良的总体患病率相对较低，但分析揭示了老年男性和女性不同的风险因素。基于已确定的风险因素制定的干预措施可能被证明对解决该人群的营养不良问题有效。
