Effect of seasonal changes on nutritional status and biochemical parameters in Turkish older adults

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Available data suggest that seasonal changes may influence the nutritional status and overall health of elderly individuals. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effects of seasonal changes and related factors on energy and nutrient intake of older adults. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Individuals aged 65 years or over were prospectively enrolled in this single-center study (male: 11, female: 20). Data were collected between May 2013 and February 2014 during winter, spring, summer and autumn. Food consumption and biochemical parameters were taken during each season to assess the seasonal nutrition status of the elderly. Upon analysis of biochemical parameters (retinol, vitamin D and vitamin C), an high-performance liquid chromatography device was utilized whereas an Immulite 2000 device was utilized during analysis of serum folic acid and parathyroid hormone. RESULTS: Fruit, fat, egg and bread consumption varied seasonally in males and females (P < 0.05). During winter, daily energy intake was found to be greater than in other seasons in males (557 kcal) and females (330 kcal) (P < 0.05). Additionally, carbohydrates, vegetable protein, n-3 fatty acid and sodium intake increased in winter, while the n-6/n-3 ratio increased in summer among males (P < 0.05). Dietary fiber and sodium intake in winter, vitamin C, iron and zinc intake in spring, and cholesterol, retinol, vitamin D and niacin intake in autumn were found to be higher in females when compared to other seasons (P < 0.05). Serum parathyroid hormone level was higher in winter, and vitamin D level was higher in autumn in both genders (P < 0.05). In males, blood folic acid level was higher in winter, while vitamin C level was higher in females, and there was no seasonal variation in retinol concentration (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Food consumption and biochemical parameters showed significant seasonal variations in older adults. It is not clear if nutrition plans in older adults will benefit from consideration of seasonal changes in eating habits.

Assessment and evaluation of the nutritional status of the elderly using 2 different instruments

The elderly population continues to increase in most countries and inadequate nutrition is a common problem affecting their functional and physical status. Therefore, we should periodically assess the nutritional status of the elderly using practical methods. Our study objectives are to assess the nutritional status of the elderly using 2 different methods: Mini Nutritional Assessment [MNA] and Nutritional Screening Initiative Checklist [NSIC], and to evaluate the consistency of the methods. We carried out a cross-sectional study between February 2003 and March 2004. We included a total of 1,564 elderly volunteers living in Ankara, Turkey, with median [ +/- inter quartile range [IQR]] age of 70 +/- 8 [Male: 71 +/- 9; Female: 70 +/- 9] years. We utilized 2 frequently used instruments; MNA and NSIC in this study. The MNA results [<17 points] indicated that 6.5% of the male and 8.8% of the female participants had inadequate nutrition. According to NSIC, 34.3% of males and 36.9% of females were classified as having a high risk of nutritional deficiency. We observed a decrease in MNA and an increase in NSIC scores with the increase of age [p<0.01]. We determined a negative correlation of MNA and positive correlation of NSIC with body weight, body mass index [BMI], mid-upper arm circumference [MUAC], and calf circumference [CC] [p<0.01]. We did not find correlations between MNA and NSIC score to be statistically significant [r:-0.318; p>0.05]. We analyzed agreements between MNA and NSIC score by Kappa statistical method [kappa: 0.13, p: 0.285] and determined that neither of these 2 methods can be used in lieu of the other. For the assessment of the nutritional status of the elderly, we could use both MNA and NSIC instruments but depending on the facilities and preferences, we cannot use one to replace the other. The MNA includes both anthropometric measurements and various nutritional parameters, and is a practical and most valid method