It’s Time to Invest in Geriatric Nutrition: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Introduction: Nutrition in the elderly can affect immunity as well as functional abilities, making it a significant domain in this age group. Objective: The current study is designed with the objective of highlighting nutritional problems and their association with different factors among the elderly in India. Methods: The literature search was conducted using PubMed, Medline, PubMed Central, and citation tracing, which provide access to full-text research articles published during the last 15 years. Result: A total of 1040 studies were identified, and 19 studies were included in the review. Lifestyle (inadequate intake of food, including vegetables and fruits), somatic (presence of comorbidity, more than three medication uses, psychological stress, chewing problems), functional (ADL/IADL dependency), and social (low socio-economic status, low education, single living, unemployment, older age) risk factors were found to be associated with malnutrition among the elderly in India. Conclusion: The burden of malnutrition and ‘at risk of malnutrition’ is very high, which may cover more than half of the elderly population and affect their quality of life. A multi-disciplinary approach, including nutritional screening, early diagnosis and treatment, and interventional dietary approaches, should be planned with sustainability assurance to ensure their healthy ageing.

Keywords

• elderly
• malnutrition
• nutritional status
• healthy ageing
• risk factors