Disabilities in the elderly related to nutrional status

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine if nutritional status would be poorer among those subjects with disabilities, regardless of the presence or absence of chronic diseases. Data from this study came from the study entitled "Social Support, Stress, and the Aged's Diet and Nutrition" which was organized by Wm. Alex McIntosh, Karen S. Kubena, and Wendall A. Landmann. A written questionnaire, which contained information on disability, health, and disease, was administered in a face-to-face interview with 424 Houstonians (age 58 or more) randomly selected from two sources. Measurements of height, weight, skinfold thicknesses, and circumferences were obtained along with a 24 hour recall and two days of food records. Statistical analysis included Pearson's correlations, multiple regression, principal component analysis, Chronbach's Alpha, and Guttman or cumulative scale. Disabilities were mostly associated with indicators of body composition rather than dietary intake. Subjects with varying disabilities mostly affecting the lower body tended to have greater body mass indicies, percent ideal body weights, and skinfold thicknesses. Also, the less active the subjects were, the greater the skinfold thicknesses. Subjects who were more mobile tended to have lower body mass indicies, percent ideal body weights, and skinfold thicknesses. Upper body disabilities such as the ability to use one's hands and indicators of the ability to chew or swallow food were generally not related to indicators of dietary intake. Results of this study demonstrated that the nutritional status was poorer among those subjects with disabilities.