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Malnutrition and falls risk in community-dwelling older adults

The journal of nutrition, health & aging volume 17, pages 277–279 (2013)Cite this article

Abstract

Background and Aims

Falls and fall-related injuries result in reduced functioning, loss of independence, premature nursing home admissions and mortality. Malnutrition is associated with falls in the acute setting, but little is known about malnutrition and falls risk in the community. The aim of this study was to assess the association between malnutrition risk, falls risk and falls over a one-year period in community-dwelling older adults.

Methods

Two hundred and fifty four subjects >65 years of age were recruited to participate in a study in order to identify risk factors for falls. Malnutrition risk was determined using the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form.

Results

28.6% had experienced a fall and according to the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form 3.9% (n=10) of subjects were at risk of malnutrition. There were no associations between malnutrition risk, the risk of falls, nor actual falls in healthy older adults in the community setting.

Conclusions

There was a low prevalence of malnutrition risk in this sample of community-dwelling older adults and no association between nutritional risk and falls. Screening as part of a falls prevention program should focus on the risk of developing malnutrition as this is associated with falls.

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Abbreviations

MNA-SF:

Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia

    Elisabeth Isenring & G. Kerr

  2. School of Human Movement Studies, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

    Elisabeth Isenring & J. Baker

  3. Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Queensland Health, Brisbane, Australia

    Elisabeth Isenring

  4. School of Exercise and Nutrition Science, Queensland University of Technology, St Lucia, Australia

    G. Kerr

  5. School of Human Movements Studies, University of Queensland, St Lucia, 4072, Australia

    Elisabeth Isenring

Authors
  1. Elisabeth Isenring
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  2. J. Baker
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  3. G. Kerr
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Correspondence to Elisabeth Isenring.

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Isenring, E., Baker, J. & Kerr, G. Malnutrition and falls risk in community-dwelling older adults. J Nutr Health Aging 17, 277–279 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-012-0408-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-012-0408-2

Key words

  • Malnutrition
  • falls
  • elderly
  • MNA-SF
  • nutritional status