Perspectives on the causes of undernutrition of community-dwelling older adults: A qualitative study

Objectives Undernutrition is a major health concern particularly in vulnerable older adults. The present study aimed to reveal the causes of undernutrition as reported by community-dwelling older adults. Design Twenty-five semi-structured interviews and two focus group discussions were performed and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of nutrition, health & aging health & aging, 2017-12, Vol.21 (10), p.1200-1209
Main Authors: van der Pols-Vijlbrief, Rachel, Wijnhoven, H. A. H., Visser, M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Aging
Appetite - physiology
Female
Geriatrics/Gerontology
Humans
Independent Living
Male
Malnutrition - epidemiology
Malnutrition - pathology
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Neurosciences
Nutrition
Nutrition Assessment
Older people
Primary Care Medicine
Qualitative Research
Quality of Life Research
Surveys and Questionnaires
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Summary:Objectives Undernutrition is a major health concern particularly in vulnerable older adults. The present study aimed to reveal the causes of undernutrition as reported by community-dwelling older adults. Design Twenty-five semi-structured interviews and two focus group discussions were performed and analyzed. Setting Community-dwelling. Participants Older adults. Measurements A questionnaire on demographics, Short Nutritional Assessment Questionnaire 65+ and interviews on the potential causes of undernutrition. Results 33 older adults agreed to participate in the interviews and focus groups. Our findings indicate that a wide variety of causes of undernutrition, both modifiable and non-modifiable, were mentioned by the older adults. Many modifiable causes of undernutrition were reported in the mental, social or food & appetite theme, such as poor food quality provided by meal services, the inability to do groceries, loneliness and mourning. Non-modifiable causes included, forgetfulness, aging, surgery and hospitalization. Conclusions This study provides guidance to better understand the underlying causes of undernutrition from an older adult’s perspective. The modifiable causes provide specific direction towards practical implications that might decrease or prevent undernutrition. Non-modifiable causes should raise awareness of an increased risk of undernutrition by health professionals in primary and secondary care, caregivers and family members.
ISSN:1279-7707
1760-4788
DOI:10.1007/s12603-017-0872-9