Background:Hypertension (HTN) and diabetes mellitus (DM) both are rapidly emerging as public health problems among geriatric population in developing countries. HTN can lead to stroke, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, and chronic kidney diseases among geriatric population. DM increases the risk of coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease, retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy among geriatric population.Methodology:A community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted during 2015–2016 in District Nainital, Uttarakhand. A list of all villages with their population in the district was developed. From this list, 30 villages were identified using population proportionate to size sampling method. From each village, 30 geriatric subjects were selected. A total of 1003 geriatric subjects age 60 years and above were included in the study. Data were collected on sociodemographic profile, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, anthropometry, and lipid profile from all the enrolled subjects. The prevalence of HTN and DM was assessed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were done to identify risk factors associated with HTN and DM.Results:The prevalence of HTN and DM was found to be 54.5% and 14.6%, respectively. For HTN, advancing age, high educational level and body mass index (BMI) (≥25 kg/m2) and for DM higher education level and BMI (≥25 kg/m2) were found to be significant risk factors.Conclusion:A high prevalence of HTN and DM was found in geriatric population residing in rural area of Uttarakhand.

There is a need to develop and implement intervention strategies to prevent underweight, overweight and obesity among the geriatric population of India.

Introduction:Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is responsible for 2.5-fold increase in cardiovascular mortality and a 5-fold higher risk of developing diabetes.Materials and Methods:A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted during 2015–2016 in District Nainital. A list of all villages was developed. From this list, thirty villages were identified using population proportionate to size sampling method. From each village, thirty geriatric subjects (GSs) were selected. The study population included 979 GSs aged 60 years and above. The data were collected on anthropometry, blood pressure, blood glucose, and lipid profile from all the enrolled subjects. The prevalence of MetS was estimated using International Diabetes Federation criteria. Univariate and multivariate analysis was done to identify factors associated with MetS.Results:The prevalence of MetS was found to be 28.6%. Step-wise multivariate logistic regression analysis found that female gender, higher income, and body mass index ≥25 were significant and independent risk factors of MetS amongst GP.Conclusion:There is a need for screening of GP living in high altitude region so that efforts can be initiated to prevent complications of MetS.

Background:Poor dental health status has been suggested to negatively impact the food selection, ultimately leading to malnutrition.Objective:This study was undertaken to assess the association of dental health and nutritional status among elderly subjects in India.Methodology:A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted during 2015–2016 in district Nainital, Uttarakhand state, India. A total of 1003 elderly population were enrolled from 30 clusters (villages) identified using population proportionate to size sampling methodology. Information on sociodemographic profile and anthropometric measurements was collected. Body mass index (BMI) and Mini Nutritional Assessment scale (MNA) were calculated for assessment of nutritional status. A trained professional assessed the dental health status through physical examination. Dietary intake data was collected using 24-h dietary recall methodology.Results:We found that the prevalence of complete edentulism was 11%. Use of dentures was reported among only 9.6% subjects who were completely edentulous. Prevalence of underweight as defined by BMI and malnutrition as defined by MNA was higher among subjects with complete loss of teeth complete loss of teeth and chewing problems chewing problems and who did not wear dentures when compared with others. Subjects who wore dentures had significantly lower prevalence of malnutrition when compared with subjects who did not wear dentures.Conclusion:Dental health status was significantly associated with poor nutritional status among elderly subjects in India. There is a need for providing restorative dental healthcare services to elderly population to improve their nutritional status.

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