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Malnutrition risk factors among the elderly from the Us-Mexico border: The “one thousand” study

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The journal of nutrition, health & aging

Abstract

Background

The Mexican population is aging, which makes the fact that there is no regional information on the health of the elderly, including those in the northern region of the country.

Objective

To examine nutritional, functional, and cognitive impairments, as well as depression, in non-institutionalized elderly Mexicans along Mexico’s northern border.

Design

Observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study.

Participants & measurements

Demographic and anthropometric measurements were screened and the following scales were applied among 760 elderly individuals in Chihuahua, Mexico: Katz index (for activities of daily living, ADL), the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), the Yesavage (depression), and the Pffeifer (cognitive decline).

Results

7% prevalence of malnutrition, a 18% prevalence of functional disability, a 44% prevalence of depressive symptoms, a 33% prevalence of cognitive impairment, and a risk of disease in almost half the population, without differences between genders. Malnutrition, functional disability, and cognitive impairment increased with age (P <0.001). Functional disability, depression, and cognitive impairment also increased the risk of malnutrition 3.0, 2.9 and 1.4 times (P <0.005). Other factors that may affect nutritional status included isolated living and illiteracy.

Conclusion

Levels of malnutrition, functional disability, depression and cognitive impairment are higher than those reported previously and are closely related to one another, so detecting alterations in primary care is important in order to improve quality of life and reduce complications.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Autonomous University of Ciudad Juarez, Ciudad Juarez, México

    Alejandra Rodriguez-Tadeo, A. Wall-Medrano & A. Campos

  2. Institute of Social Sciences, Autonomous University of Ciudad Juarez, Ciudad Juarez, México

    M. E. Gaytan-Vidana

  3. Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Science, Autonomous University of Chihuahua, Chihuahua, México

    M. Ornelas-Contreras

  4. School of Public Health and Nutrition, Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon, Nuevo Leon, México

    H. I. Novelo-Huerta

  5. Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas-Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez (Autonomous University of Ciudad Juarez), Anillo Envolvente del Pronaf y Estocolmo s/n. Zip Code 32300, Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, México, P.O. Box 1595-D

    Alejandra Rodriguez-Tadeo

Authors
  1. Alejandra Rodriguez-Tadeo
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  2. A. Wall-Medrano
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  3. M. E. Gaytan-Vidana
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  4. A. Campos
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  5. M. Ornelas-Contreras
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  6. H. I. Novelo-Huerta
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Correspondence to Alejandra Rodriguez-Tadeo.

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Rodriguez-Tadeo, A., Wall-Medrano, A., Gaytan-Vidana, M.E. et al. Malnutrition risk factors among the elderly from the Us-Mexico border: The “one thousand” study. J Nutr Health Aging 16, 426–431 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-011-0349-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-011-0349-1

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