Predictors of nutritional status among the oldest-old in China

Malnutrition has been identified as one of the major predictors of mortality and other adverse outcomes among older adults. However, nutritional status and predictors of malnutrition among the oldest-old population are not well-understood. The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of malnutrition and the risk factors for poor nutritional status in a sample of Chinese adults aged 90 and above. We use data from a cross-sectional survey conducted in Dujiangyan, Sichuan, China in 2005. Information on socio-demographic characteristics, diet, health status, physical and cognitive functioning were obtained. A total number of 443 community dwelling elderly with normal cognitive functioning were included in the present study. The average age of the sample was 93 years and 35.9% were male. Seven percent (7.0%) of the sample lived alone and 71.6% did not receive any formal education. Nutritional status was assessed by the 18-item Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). We found that only two participants (0.5%) were classified as having malnutrition, 283 (63.9%) were classified as being at risk for malnutrition, and 158 (35.7%) were well-nourished. Multivariate linear regression model showed that significant risk factors of poor nutrition status included: lower education level, gastrointestinal system disease, mobility limitation, osteoarthritis, and lower cognitive function scores. These findings suggest that the majority of the Chinese oldest-old were at risk for malnutrition. Nutritional assessment should be incorporated into regular geriatric screening among community-living oldest-old in China. Interventions targeting those at risk of malnutrition should be developed to improve health outcomes among this vulnerable population.