Nutritional status and eating habits of the institutionalised elderly in Turkey: a follow-up study

• Published in: Journal of human nutrition and dietetics 2016-04, Vol.29 (2), p.185-195
• Main Authors: Rakıcıoğlu, N., Aksoy, B., Tamer, F., Yıldız, E. Akal, Samur, G., Pekcan, G., Besler, H. T.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; anthropometric measurements; Ascorbic Acid - administration & dosage; Body Mass Index; Diet; Dietary Carbohydrates - administration & dosage; Dietary Fats - administration & dosage; Dietary Proteins - administration & dosage; elderly; Energy Intake; Female; follow-up; Follow-Up Studies; Geriatric Assessment; Homes for the Aged; Humans; Male; Malnutrition - prevention & control; Niacin - administration & dosage; Nursing Homes; Nutrition; Nutrition Assessment; Nutritional Status; Older people; Recommended Dietary Allowances; Socioeconomic Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; Thiamine - administration & dosage; Turkey; Vitamin E - administration & dosage; Waist Circumference; Zinc - administration & dosage
• ISSN: 0952-3871; 1365-277X
• DOI: 10.1111/jhn.12320

Background As the elderly population increases in Turkey, so do the associated health and nutritional problems. The main purpose of the present study was to determine the nutritional status of elderly individuals who live in institutions. Methods A total of 102 elderly volunteers was recruited from seven residential homes of the Ministry of Family and Social Policies in Ankara. In the consecutive years of 2007, 2008 and 2009, dietary intake was assessed using a 24‐h food recall. Nutritional status was screened using a questionnaire from the Mini‐Nutritional Assessment, basic characteristics were determined and anthropometric measurements were assessed. Results The percentage of elderly participants who were malnourished or at risk for malnutrition increased by the completion of the follow‐up (P