Assessment of Nutritional Vulnerability of the Elderly using Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) Tool

Abstract

Objective: The vulnerability of the elderly (65years and above) to nutritional risks is the main thrust of this paper. Subjects and methods: Multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select a total of 600 subjects from eight communities in Umuahia North and Ikwuano Local Government Areas of Abia state. About sixty-three percent were females while 37% were males. Structured, validated and pre-tested questionnaire was used to elicit information on socio-economic status, while Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) form was used to assess nutritional vulnerability. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data on socioeconomic status. Data from MNA was analyzed by stratifying the respondents as “well nourished” MNA≥ 24, “at risk of malnutrition” 17-23.5 and “malnourished”