Assessment of Nutritional Status, Eating Habits and Quality of Life in the Elderly Living in Cyprus, Famagusta

Abstract

Aim: This study has been carried out to determine, eating habits, quality of life and nutritional status of elderly people 65 years and over. It has been conducted with 105 male and 105 female (total 210) elderly volunteers, registered in the Famagusta Municipality and living in Famagusta, Cyprus between November 2015 and February 2016. Subjects and Methods: Participants’ demographic characteristics, eating habits, anthropometric measurements, strength of hand grip, food consumption over the last 24 hours, quality of life have been evaluated. Results: The average age of male participants was 72.26±5.35 years and 73.66±5.35 years for female participants. Average of Body Mass Index (BMI) was 29.81±4.68 kg/m2 for males and 32.39±5.85 kg/m2 for females. Average energy intake for males has been stated as 1960.41±512.90 kcal and for females 1523.61±352.10 kcal (p<0.05). According to the results of Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), there was no nutritional problem for 83.3% of participants, while 16.7% of them were determined to be at risk of malnutrition. A significant difference was found between men and women (p>0.05). A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the right hand and left hand grip strength and the results of MNA for women (p<0.05). It wasn’t found statistically correlation between hand grip strength and dietary protein and energy intake. (p>0.05). A statistically significant positive correlation was found between total quality of life score and the results of MNA (r=0.301, p=0.000) and negative correlation was found between total quality of life score and BMI (r=-0.246, p=0.000). Conclusion: Elderly people should be provided with nutritional education to acquire healthy eating habits. Elderly people’s quality of life should be increased by improving their nutritional status. In order to protect or prevent them from developing diseases caused by nutrition, they should be monitored regularly.