Background: Worldwide the elderly population gradually increasing and that will definitely pose several challenges. Malnutrition is one of the major but neglected problem in elderly. They are at risk of malnutrition due to physical, psychological, social, dietary and environmental risk factors. Malnutrition in elderly is associated with adverse health effects. Hence to study the nutritional status of elderly.Methods: The study was carried out between January 2016- June 2017. 545 elderly were included in the study. Out of the 6 subcentres, 1 subcentre (Uchagaon) was selected by simple random sampling technique and house to house survey was carried out to select eligible elderly participants in the villages of selected subcentre. Data was collected from eligible elderly by using mini nutritional assessment (MNA) tool.Results: Majority of the participants (65.1%) were between the age group of 60-69 years. 55% were females. 23.5% were malnourished, 49% were at risk of malnutrition and 27.5% had normal nutritional status.Conclusions: The present study concluded that majority of the elderly were at risk of malnutrition. There is a need of actions to improve the nutritional status of the elderly.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Tibetans are the oldest population living permanently at high altitude (4000m). This ethnic group along with Sherpas may have been living at high altitude for longer than any other population. Previous research has shown Tibetans living at high altitude to have superior pulmonary functions. The size of the lungs relative to the size of the person varies depending on ethnic group and a host of environmental factors. Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) measurement is the easiest and cheapest method to evaluate respiratory functions. MVV tests the overall functioning of the respiratory system, the respiratory muscles, airway resistance and compliance of lungs and chest wall. So, the study was carried out to evaluate PEFR and MVV of healthy Tibetans youths born and brought up in India and compare their values with healthy Indian youths, to know whether Tibetans born and brought up in India (sea level) retain better respiratory parameters as their ancestors (born at high altitude). MATERIALS AND METHOD: A comparative study was conducted in which the PEFR and MVV of 50 Tibetan male youths born and brought up in Mundgod, North Karnataka district, Hubli, in the age group of 20-30yrs were compared with 50 Indian male youths matched for age and sex as controls. The PEFR and MVV were measured with spiroanalyser SPL-95. The obtained data was analysed using unpaired student's't' test. RESULTS: The Indian born Tibetan male youths had a PEFR (L/sec) of value 8.18 2.47 where as the corresponding value for Indian male youths was 4.86 1.89. The PEFR was higher in Indian born Tibetan male youths than Indian male youths. This was statistically highly significant at (P<0.001). The Tibetan youths had a MVV (L/min) of value 116.16 25.78 whereas the corresponding value for Indian youths was 101.49 19.21.The MVV was less in Indian youths than Tibetan youths. This was statistically significant at p<0.01. CONCLUSION: Though both Indian born Tibetan male youths and Indian male youths share similar environmental challenges, this difference in PEFR and MVV has shown that Indian born Tibetan male youths have retained better respiratory parameters as their ancestors.

No abstract

Background: Worldwide elderly population is rapidly increasing. This is posing many challenges in elderly population. Malnutrition in them is one of the major problems but ignored component. Socio-economic, demographic and environmental factors are those greatly influence their nutritional status. Hence the present study was undertaken to assess the effect of socio-economic, demographic and environmental factors on nutritional status of elderly.Methods: The present study was a cross-sectional study which included 545 elderly population of Uchagaon subcentre and was carried out over a period of 1½ years. After selecting Uchagaon subcentre by simple random sampling technique and house to house survey was carried out to select eligible elderly participants who met the selection criteria. Data was collected from eligible elderly by using pretested questionnaire and Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) tool.Results: 65.1% were between the age group of 60-69 years. 55% were females, 66% were currently married, 60% had no formal schooling, 67.2% were belongs to socio-economic status of either class IV/V. 23.5% were malnourished and 49% were at risk of malnutrition. There was association found between nutritional status of elderly with increase in age, marital status, educational status, occupation, socio-economic status, type of family and housing condition.Conclusions: In the present study majority of the elderly were at risk of malnutrition. The nutritional status of elderly was associated with increase in age, marital status, educational status, occupation, socio-economic status, type of family and housing condition of rural elderly and subsequently modify those factors to improve the nutritional status of elderly and this can be a scope for further study in future.

No abstract