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Article
Publication date: 1 January 2006

Nevin Sanlier and Nurcan Yabanci

This study was aimed at assessing the anthropometry and the nutritional status of a sample of the elderly in Turkey. It was designed as a cross‐sectional study using the mini…

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Abstract

Purpose

This study was aimed at assessing the anthropometry and the nutritional status of a sample of the elderly in Turkey. It was designed as a cross‐sectional study using the mini nutritional assessment (MNA) scores to assess the nutritional status of the elderly living alone, with their family, and in nursing homes.

Design/methodology/approach

The work was planned and carried out so as to assess nutritional status and MNA of 429 elderly people, aged 65 years and over living with their family (n  =  246), in nursing homes (n  =  127) or alone (n  =  56). Body weight, height, mid upper arm and calf circumference of elderly people was measured and they were asked personal questions. The list of questions included if the person pursues an independent life, the number of meals and food groups they consumed, the answers of which were scored and then assessed. With regard to MNA scale, a score of <17 is regarded as an indication of malnutrition, 17–23.5 indicates a sign for malnutrition risk and 24 and higher signifies normal level. The data were analysed with SPSS 10.0 for Windows. Means, standard deviations and cross tabulation tables were used as descriptive statistics. Pearson's correlation coefficients were determined in correlation analysis.

Findings

A statistical analysis of the scores shows that 5.4 per cent of the elderly people living alone, 2.4 per cent of those living in nursing homes and 0.4 per cent living with families could be regarded as malnourished. It was also found that elderly people living in nursing homes have more risk for malnutrition. MNA scores, based on measurements such as body weight, BMI (body mass index) and mid upper arm indicated a significant correlation with the malnutrition.

Practical implications

MNA appears to be a practical and reliable method to assess the nutritional status of elderly people and more importance should be attached to those living alone or in nursing homes to prevent their nutritional problems.

Originality/value

Assesses the nutritional status of the elderly living alone, with their family or in nursing homes in Turkey.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science, vol. 36 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 November 2010

Namita Panagaria, Kanika Varma, Sandeep Nijhawan and R.R. Rai

The purpose of this paper is to assess the nutritional status and quality of life in patients according to the clinical severity of liver cirrhosis.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the nutritional status and quality of life in patients according to the clinical severity of liver cirrhosis.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 151 cirrhotics were selected for study. Nutritional assessment was done by anthropometry, subjective global assessment, malnutrition universal screening tool, biochemical estimations and 72‐hour dietary recall. Quality of life was assessed by chronic liver disease questionnaire.

Findings

Child's status was A/B/C in 29/68/59, respectively. Muscle and fat depletion was significantly higher in grade C patients as compared to grade A and B patients. Incidence of malnutrition was lowest in grade A patients (72.4 percent) and highest in grade C patients (90.74 percent) (p = 0.00). Calorie and protein intake was significantly lower in grade C patients compared to grade A and B patients (p = 0.00). Child Pugh score was found to be an independent risk factor for various nutritional and clinical parameters.

Research limitations/implications

The data presented reflect the assessment of a very small cohort of these patients and should be done on a larger scale.

Practical implications

Looking into the high prevalence of malnutrition and the negative impact of disease severity, nutritional assessment of these patients should be done on a regular basis and nutritional therapy planned accordingly.

Originality/value

Data on malnutrition from India are scarce. This study is a small attempt to throw light on the nutritional status and its variation according to clinical severity of liver cirrhosis.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science, vol. 40 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 May 2023

Elif Epçaçan, İdil Gönül, Hatice Merve Bayram and Murat Gürbüz

This study aims to examine the relationship between neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), handgrip strength (HGS) and nutritional status in non-critically ill patients and…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationship between neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), handgrip strength (HGS) and nutritional status in non-critically ill patients and outpatients.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 80 geriatric patients. Nutritional status was evaluated using the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form, Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index, some anthropometric and biochemical parameters. NLR was calculated from the complete blood count results. Data were analyzed using SPSS 24.0.

Findings

While 38.3% of patients were malnourished or at risk of malnutrition, 61.7% had normal nutritional status. Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form was not correlated with NLR, whereas it showed a weak positive correlation with HGS. According to the logistic regression analysis, age, HGS, hemoglobin and platelet to lymphocyte ratio were significant independent factors for predicting malnutrition or risk of malnutrition. The receiver operator characteristic curve analysis showed that the optimum HGS cut-off point for patients with malnourished or at risk of malnutrition was 13.2. In conclusion, HGS was associated with the nutritional status. NLR was not associated with nutritional status but associated with nutritional risk.

Originality/value

It is well known that malnutrition is a serious health problem among older adults, and it is important to assess the nutritional status of older adults because of the adverse health effects. In addition, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to determine the relationship between NLR, HGS and nutritional status in non-critically ill patients and outpatients.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science , vol. 53 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 May 2021

Alina Jaroch, Mariusz Kozakiewicz, Alicja Kowalkowska, Emilia Główczewska-Siedlecka and Kornelia Kędziora-Kornatowska

Frailty is a geriatric syndrome which can be reversible or less severe through appropriate nutritional interventions. In the present study, to test the efficiency of…

Abstract

Purpose

Frailty is a geriatric syndrome which can be reversible or less severe through appropriate nutritional interventions. In the present study, to test the efficiency of individualized nutritional intervention was conducted a comprehensive assessment of the nutritional status of frail older adults and evaluation of the effect of nutritional intervention on the nutritional status of pre-frail older patients.

Design/methodology/approach

Frail older adults (n = 43; mean age 84.6 ± 6.4 years old; 81.4% women) had nutritional status assessed using nutritional anthropometry, body composition, and food frequency questionnaire. Pre-frail patients (n = 16; mean age 68.4 ± 5.5 years old; 81.3% women) for eight weeks were consuming 1.0 g protein/kg BW/day. Robust older adults formed a control group (n = 29; mean age 69.3 ± 5.3 years old; 82.8% women).

Findings

Frail older adults had weight and muscle mass loss, and their diet variety was sufficient. After the intervention, pre-frail patients increased their protein consumption by 25.8% (P = 0.002). An increase in lean body mass (+1.0 kg), skeletal muscle mass (+0.3 kg) and improvement in physical performance was also observed.

Originality/value

An individual diet for pre-frail older adults can reverse weight loss and increase lean body mass, furthermore preventing or delaying the development of frailty syndrome. Moreover, increased protein consumption improves physical performance of pre-frail older adults.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science , vol. 51 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

Keywords

Abstract

Purpose

Bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) and phase angle (PA) have importance in assessing nutritional and prognosis, and this study hypothesized that these measurements can have a relationship with nutritional risk and outcomes. This study aims to analyze the association between Nutrition Risk in the Critically ill (NUTRIC) score and bioelectrical impedance measures with hospital mortality in critically ill patients.

Design/methodology/approach

A prospective, cohort study was performed with a consecutive sample of patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU), between January and June 2017 at a hospital university in Northwest Brazil. The NUTRIC score and the bioelectric measures, such as resistance (R), reactance (Xc), PA and BIVA, were completed within the first 24 h of admission. The Student’s t or Mann–Whitney, Pearson’s or Spearman’s coefficient and Fisher’s exact tests and BIVA were used for statistical analyses.

Findings

The sample consisted of 81, with a mean age of 57 (16.7) years, with 60.5% women. It was detected that PA and Xc were lower (p < 0.001), and age was higher (p < 0.001) in a high nutritional-risk group. It was found an association between low nutritional risk and hospital discharge (p < 0.001), and that individuals who died spent more days in the ICU (p = 0.0375), had significantly lower PA and Xc values (p = 0.043 and p = 0.0172, respectively) and higher NUTRIC scores (<0.0001). There was a displacement of the mean impedance vector in men and women with high nutritional risk (p = 0.0037 and p = 0.004, respectively).

Research limitations/implications

The height measurement was estimated using predictive formulas, which may affect the accuracy of the values; BIA was performed only upon admission of the patient to the ICU and the study population was heterogeneous, as it is a general ICU.

Originality/value

This paper shows that, in critically ill patients, nutritional screening and the assessment of bioelectrical measures help in clinical-nutritional decisions, and were able to predict outcomes.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science , vol. 53 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 June 2019

Agata Wawrzyniak, Agnieszka Elżbieta Woźniak, Anna Anyzewska, Małgorzata Kwiatkowska and Anna Kołłajtis-Dołowy

The purpose of this paper is to assess the Questionnaire Eating Behaviours (QEB), developed by the Science Committee of Human Nutrition of the Polish Academy of Sciences, as an…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the Questionnaire Eating Behaviours (QEB), developed by the Science Committee of Human Nutrition of the Polish Academy of Sciences, as an instrument to examine the opinions on food and nutrition and diet quality indicators in women in various age groups.

Design/methodology/approach

The study involved 161 healthy Polish women aged 18–92, divided into four age groups to assess the QEB questionnaire, as an instrument to examine the opinions on food and nutrition and diet quality indicators.

Findings

Women provided statistically significant responses to 40 per cent of the statements in the test. In the case of 60 per cent of responses proper answers increased with the age of the participant. Questionnaire determines that people whose opinions were more compliant with nutritional knowledge more often applied the principles of proper nutrition. Dependencies between the number of points from the test of opinions about food and nutrition and the Prohealthy-Diet-Index (pHDI-8) or the sum of points from the test and the Non-healthy-Diet-Index (nHDI-8) were indicated. People who obtained the higher pHDI-8 and the lower nHDI-8 coefficient better evaluated their diet.

Originality/value

The QEB questionnaire can be an effective, quick and cheap instrument recommended to examine the association between the opinion about food and nutrition and the quality of diet of people at various ages and useful in determining the directions of further education and improvement in the quality of diet, including its assessment in large population groups.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 121 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 September 2011

Diwa Pandey, Mohammed H. Buzgeia, Safaa A.E. Badr, Faiza Gheith Senussi, Haifa Ibrahim El‐Mokasabi and Aisha Mohammed El‐Shahomi

The purpose of this paper is to identify the extent of actual malnutrition and its risk among cancer patients receiving radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy in the Libyan city of…

509

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the extent of actual malnutrition and its risk among cancer patients receiving radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy in the Libyan city of Benghazi.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross‐sectional nutritional assessment study using the patient‐generated subjective global assessment (PG‐SGA) was carried out on 200 (91 males and 109 females) cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.

Findings

A total of 25 per cent of the subjects were severely malnourished while 73.5 per cent were either at risk of malnutrition or suspected to be malnourished. Almost all (99.5 per cent) needed some degree of intervention (critical in nature for 83.5 per cent). Family income and physical activity were associated with nutritional status (p<0.05). Body Mass Index alone is an insensitive criterion for identifying malnutrition among such patients. All the sections and subsections of the PG‐SGA had a statistically significant positively correlation with its total score (r=0.51‐0.96, p<0.05). Dieticians played a very limited role in patient nutritional care.

Practical implications

It is suggested that dieticians should play a more participatory and prominent role in a multidisciplinary team involved in patient nutritional care. The PG‐SGA can help identify areas where tailor made strategies to counteract specific malnutrition or its risk can be planned, implemented and monitored.

Originality/value

There exists a considerable prevalence of malnutrition among Benghazi cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, most of whom need critical intervention.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science, vol. 41 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 October 2012

Taiwo Oyeyoyin Olanipekun, Veronica Adeoti Obatolu, Subuola Bosede Fasoyiro and Beatrice Olubukola Ogunba

The purpose of this study is to determine and compare the nutritional status of children aged 5‐10 years attending private (fee paying‐FP) and public (non‐fee paying‐NFP) primary…

726

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to determine and compare the nutritional status of children aged 5‐10 years attending private (fee paying‐FP) and public (non‐fee paying‐NFP) primary schools in Ibadan South‐West Local Government Area (ISWLGA) of Oyo State, Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

Anthropometry method was used in the study. Two basic variables (height and weight) and a single derived variable (body mass index‐BMI) were utilized. All the anthropometric measurements were taken following standard techniques.

Findings

The prevalence of malnutrition was significantly higher (p<0.05) in the NFP pupils than in the FP pupils. The incidence of stunting, underweight and wasting among NFP pupils (boys and girls) was 44.8 percent and 43.05 percent; 41.07 percent and 38.88 percent; 43.59 percent and 40.29 percent, respectively. For the pupils from FP schools, the incidence of stunting, underweight and wasting, respectively, (boys and girls) was 34.21 percent and 27.77 percent; 30.70 percent and 27.77 percent; 27.19 percent and 5.55 percent. Higher percentages of boys were malnourished in the two groups of pupils studied.

Research limitations/implications

The study was limited to Ibadan South‐West local Government Area of Oyo state, Nigeria; it does not give a holistic view of the nutritional status of Nigerian school children.

Originality/value

The results of this study, shows that the average school child in Ibadan, Nigeria is under nourished. Also, higher percentages of boys were malnourished in the two groups of pupils studied. Urgent steps should therefore be taken to meet the nutritional needs of the children.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science, vol. 42 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 February 2018

Hasan Mahfuz Reza, Suvasish Das Shuvo and Tanvir Ahmad

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the nutritional status of patients with end-stage kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the nutritional status of patients with end-stage kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis.

Design/methodology/approach

End-stage renal failure outpatients on hemodialysis were selected using simple random sampling technique from the dialysis unit of Sono Hospital Limited, Kushtia, Bangladesh. The nutritional status of 142 participant, of age 18-65 years, was screened. A direct method of nutritional assessment including anthropometric measurement, biochemical measurement, clinical assessment and dietary method was conducted. A logistic regression was applied to estimate the prevalence of malnutrition in hemodialysis patients.

Findings

In total 69.0 per cent participants were men and 31.0 per cent were women, whereas about 65.5 and 16.9 per cent patients of this study had a BMI of less than 23 kg/m2 and 18.5 kg/m2 (p < 0.05) where malnutrition was significantly prevalent. Mean ± SD hemoglobin level of both men and women participants was below the normal level which might increase the risk of malnutrition (p < 0.05). Of the total number of participants, 97.2 per cent were anemic, 66.9 per cent had anorexia, 63.4 per cent complained of nausea, 58.5 per cent complained of vomiting and 26.1 per cent complained of diarrhea, factors that can increase the risk of malnutrition in hemodialysis patients (p < 0.05). The creatinine and urea levels were higher in both men and women participants (p < 0.05). Results show significant difference in albumin levels among men and women (p < 0.05). The bicarbonate level was lower in both men and women, and the participants were suffering from metabolic acidosis (p < 0.05). About 87.3 per cent participants were taking inadequate amounts of protein which was a significant risk factor of malnutrition in hemodialysis patients (p < 0.01).

Originality/value

The result shows that renal failure is prevalent more in men than in women. The majority of patients on hemodialysis were at a risk of malnutrition including being underweight. Most of the patients were anemic. Malnutrition is related to low nutrient intake.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science, vol. 48 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 May 2019

Nicole Atkins Withrow and Leticia Alvidrez

The purpose of this paper is to develop a comprehensive eating screening inventory named the Sensory Processing, Aberrant Mealtime Behaviors, Motor, Inventory for Eating (SAMIE)…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a comprehensive eating screening inventory named the Sensory Processing, Aberrant Mealtime Behaviors, Motor, Inventory for Eating (SAMIE). The SAMIE will accurately screen nutritional risk by identifying the four primary domains that affect eating in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Design/methodology/approach

The development of the questions was executed in three steps. First, a review of the literature was conducted. Second, expert opinion was acquired which was critical in developing the questions. Third, ten think-aloud protocols were set up to simplify the first draft. Prior to the pilot study, four participants were recruited to complete the SAMIE online.

Findings

A total of 162 participants completed the online demographic questionnaire and the SAMIE. Overall, participants did not differ between groups for demographic characteristics, BMI status and dietary intake. After conducting a series of statistical tests, results illustrated that the SAMIE is a valid measure to screen nutritional risk in children with ASD.

Practical implications

Due to the complexities of problematic eating behaviors in ASD, there is a need for a comprehensive screening inventory that encompasses the four domains that impact eating in an ASD. These domains have been identified as, namely, aberrant mealtime behavior, eating skills, dietary intake, and sensory processing and have yet to be utilized collectively to screen for nutritional risk in children with ASD.

Originality/value

The SAMIE is a novel eating screening inventory that will standardize the methodology for screening nutritional risk that can be used in clinical, community and research settings.

Details

Advances in Autism, vol. 5 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2056-3868

Keywords

1 – 10 of over 4000