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Over 50pc of elderly people at risk of malnutrition


Published : 01 Oct 2021 09:58 PM | Updated : 02 Oct 2021 02:49 PM

More than half of the country's elderly people are at risk of malnutrition, a study says.

Eleven percent of the world's population is elderly and over 60 years of age. Among them, 23 percent of the elderly are suffering from malnutrition. 

However, in the context of Bangladesh, this situation is even more dire.

A recent study found that a quarter (25.06 percent) of the country's elderly suffer from malnutrition. The rate of malnutrition is higher among women than men. 

Currently, more than half (56.04 percent) of the elderly are at risk of malnutrition. The study identified depression, mental illness, disability, oral and dental problems as the main causes of malnutrition in the elderly.

A study by the Department of Public Health and Informatics at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) found this information. 

The study has recently published in the international journal BMC. 

Dr KM Touhidur Rahman was the main researcher in the study under Supervision of Md Dr Khalequzzaman, associate Professor of Public Health and Informatics at the University.

Fahmida Afroz Khan, Sharmin Emdad Raina, Sharaf Samin, Md Hasan and Syed Shariful Islam also were involved in this study.

In order to identify the main causes of malnutrition in the research work, data was collected from a total of 125 people including 59 men and 66 women from three places in Uttarkhan of the capital. 

The study takes into account nutritional rate, mental health and oral index. Of these, 73 elderly people are at risk of malnutrition, which is 56.04 percent of the total number. 

Malnutrition is reported among 32 elderly people, which is 25.06 percent of the total number. Only 16 percent of the elderly are found to have no problem with malnutrition.

The study also takes into account their socio-economic background, history of other diseases and eating habits. The BSMMU Review Board gave ethical approval to this study.

The study found that 53.06 percent never had access to formal education. Of these, 22 percent of men are currently suffering from malnutrition. 

In addition, malnutrition rate is found in 28.08 percent of women. In other words, the rate of malnutrition is higher in women than men. 

Earlier, another study found similar results, with women suffering from a higher rate of malnutrition (29 percent) than men (22 percent).

In addition, the rate of malnutrition is seen among 28.06 percent of the elderly without a spouse (widow, widower, unmarried). 

At the same time, 65.03 percent of the elderly are at risk of malnutrition. According to the study, about 40 percent of the elderly who suffer from depression are suffering from malnutrition.

Studies have shown that elderly people suffering from depression are 15.06 times more likely to suffer from malnutrition than usual. 

Among the elderly, about one-third of those with poor oral and dental conditions suffer from malnutrition. 

In this case, the elderly who have bad mouth and teeth on the opposite side are 7.3 times more likely to suffer from malnutrition than those who have good oral and dental condition.

The study found that avoiding meat, milk and dairy foods, and eggs increased the risk of malnutrition among the elderly.

It noted that 31.03 percent of malnourished elderly avoided oily foods, while 25 percent of elderly avoided meat and dairy foods.

According to a global survey, only 5.8 percent of the elderly suffer from malnutrition in developed countries such as Switzerland, France, Japan, Sweden and South Africa. 

Researchers are of the opinion that the number of malnutrition in developed countries may be lower due to strict adherence to the guidelines of nutritious diet for the elderly.

The study also found that the elderly were more at risk of malnutrition than others worldwide. 

At present, the number of elderly people in Bangladesh is approximately 1.50 crore. The number is expected to exceed 3.5 crore by 2050.

With these considerations in mind, the researchers said, the elderly need to take specific nutrition programs to eliminate malnutrition. 

Women need to be considered with special importance in this program. Emphasis should be placed on improving the mental health of the elderly. 

At the same time, people should take care of their mouths and teethes. Elderly nutrition needs to be ensured by ensuring proper diet.

Associate Professor of BSMMU's Department of Public Health and Informatics Dr Md Khalequzzaman said the elderly need to ensure nutrition. “And for this we need to take the right plan and implement it”, he added. 

At the same time, the mental health of the elderly needs to be considered and improved, he said adding that, many are seen to be lacking in adequate nutrition. 

It is important to take steps to make them aware, he mentioned.

Note that Today (October 1) is World Elders Day. Like other countries in the world, the day is being observed in Bangladesh through various programs. 

The day is being observed under the theme “Digital Equality Available to All Ages”.

In 1990, the United Nations decided to observe the International Day of the Elderly on October 1 every year. 

The day has been observed since 1991 to ensure the protection and rights of the elderly as well as to create global awareness about aging. 

The Department of Social Services has organized various programs on the occasion of the day.

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