The status and socio-demographic predictors of geriatric malnutrition of rural Maharashtra of central India: A cross-sectional study

Introduction: The elderly population has a lot to give to society but various issues like malnutrition hinder their activities and affect their quality of life. Objective: The current study was proposed to assess the nutritional status of the elderly in rural Maharashtra of central India. Method: This cross-sectional study recruited 460 elderly individuals and was conducted in selected four villages of same district in central India for 5 months (Aug-Dec 2021). Stratified sampling method was used. This study used the MNA (Mini Nutritional Assessment) questionnaire and haemoglobin level to assess the nutritional status of the elderly. Univariate analysis and multivariate analysis were carried out using R software. Results: Out of 460 study subjects, 42 (9.13%) were malnourished and 286 (62.17%) were at risk of malnutrition. The study assessed 300 elderly for hemoglobin status and 129 (43%) were found anemic. The elderly who belonged to the age group 71-80 years had lesser odds of having satisfactory nutritional status (OR=0.53) while age group >80 was more prone to anemia (OR= 1.71). The odds of satisfactory nutritional status were higher for elderly who had education less than secondary school (OR=2.02) and for elderly those who had completed high secondary schooling (OR=4.94) and those who belonged to the nuclear family (OR=1.59). The study showed elderly who belonged to Open caste had lesser odds of having anemia (OR=0.68). Conclusion: The study found high prevalence of anaemia (43%) and at-risk malnutrition (62.17%) in the geriatric population. Policymakers should prioritise nutritional interventional policy, and stakeholders should promote the existing nutritional policies of this vulnerable group.