Nutritional status in an institutionalised geriatric population with special reference to iron

Abstract

Malnutrition is commonly seen among the elderly. Institutionalisation has been suggested to be one of the factors that renders elderly people particularly vulnerable to deficiency. In this study, the nutritional status of 62 subjects in the age group 60-94 years was studied to determine the incidence of malnutrition. Their body weights, heights and dietary histories were recorded. The serum protein concentrations were within the normal range and 2 subjects (3.2 %) had subnormal vitamin A concentrations in the serum. Low plasma ascorbic acid concentrations (less than 3 mg/100ml) were seen in 43 subjects (69.4%). Ten subjects (16.0%) had haemoglobin concentrations less than 10g/100ml, while 24 subjects(38.7%) had haemoglobin concentrations between 10-12g/100ml.Biochemical evidence of iron deficiency as indicated by percentage transferrin saturation of less than 16% was seen in 9 subjects. These results indicate a high incidence of vitamin C deficiency in the elderly. This could be due to decreased dietary intake of foods rich in vitamin C and also to losses during preparation. Mild iron deficiency was also seen, specially among females and this could be attributed to decreased intake and absorption.