ABSTRACT
Population aging is enduring and so are the problems of the elderly. Malnutrition in the elderly is an ominous sign leading to poor health and decreased quality of life. There is less number of studies regarding this problem among the elderly. Hence this study was done to assess the problem of malnutrition among the elderly in a semi-urban area of Manipur. Aims: To determine the prevalence of malnutrition in the elderly and to assess the association of malnutrition with some variables of interest. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a semi-urban area of Manipur from September 2010 to June 2013.Mini nutritional assessment (MNA) tool was used. Data was collected using interview method. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and Chi square test and multivariate analysis was done. Results: There was 386 respondents and 26 (6.7%) of them were malnourished. Further, 192 (49.7%) elderly were at the risk of malnutrition. Increasing age, being single, being illiterate, having income in the lower third quartile are significantly associated with malnutrition. Being engaged in an active occupation was associated with less risk of malnutrition. Tobacco consumption in any form was significantly associated with malnutrition in females. Conclusion: Using the Mini-Nutritional Assessment to assess the nutritional status of the elderly, we found that nearly a half of them were at risk of malnutrition. Increasing age, being single, being illiterate, having income in the lower third quartile was significantly associated with malnutrition.