Nutritional status and related factors in the elderly hospitalized in a psychiatric hospital

The prevalence of aging and chronic psychiatric disorders is increasing. Older people hospitalized are at risk of malnutrition. In this study, the nutritional status of the elderly living in a psychiatric hospital was investigated, and also related factors were extracted.

This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018. One hundred and one older adults over 60 years old in Razi Psychiatric Hospital in Tehran were selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected using a demographic information questionnaire and the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). SPSS software version 21 and Chi-square test were used to analyze the data.

Most of the elderly were in the age range of 60 to 75 years, and 51.5 percent were female. At-risk and malnourished status, the average prevalence was 22.8%, 59.4%, and 17.8%, respectively. There was a significant relationship between education level, dental status, aspiration, balance status, the experience of an acute disease or stress in the last three months, and the level of physical activity with the nutritional status of the elderly (P<0.05).

More than three-quarters of the elderly were malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. Therefore, it is necessary to take appropriate measures to improve the situation. In this regard, the formulation and implementation of interventions following the associated factors extracted in this study will be helpful.