Nutritional status in a portuguese sample of institutionalized and non-institutionalized elderly

Elderly institutionalization implies changes in the daily life with an impact on nutritional status. It is important to evaluate this impact in order to prevent malnutrition among the elderly. This ex-post facto study aims to evaluate the impact of the institutionalization in the elderly nutrition and health, as well as the influence of sociodemographic variables. Additionally, we intend to reflect on the practical implications for institutions caring for the elderly and caregivers on food preparation and management. A quantitative non-experimental study was performed with a convenience sample of 202 elderly, of both genders (70.3% women), aged 81.76 ± 7.47, from Long-Stay institutions (65.8%), Day Centres (6.9%) and community (27.2%), in the centre of Portugal. We used the Portuguese validation (Loureiro, 2008) of Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) for data collection and the SPSS-24 for statistical analyses (95% confidence degree). We found 50.9% undernourished and at risk in Long-Stay institutions vs. 13.2% in non-institutionalized elderly. The comparison between these groups shows statistical differences in nutritional status (U=2399, p=.000) and in global scores of MNA (U=1651, p=.000). There are low negative correlations between age and global score (rS= -.220, p=.003) and nutritional status (rS= -.199, p=.001), but no gender differences and a protective effect of academic qualifications. The study highlighted the prevalence and risk of undernutrition in elderly Long-Stay institutions. Hence, the interventions to reduce this public health problem should focus particularly among institutionalized elderly. However, for such interventions to be effective, it is essential to identify possible factors of this condition. It is imperative to monitor the nutritional status of the elderly and guiding institutions, caregivers and familiars.