Distribution and correlates of Body Mass Index in the elderly residents of the Colombo District

Abstract

Objective:To determine the distribution and correlates of body mass index in the elderly residents of the Colombo District. Methodology:The sample consisted of 452 subjects aged 60 years and above residing in the Colombo district of Sri Lanka. Data collection included a physical examination and an interviewer administered questionnaire. Results:The mean BMI was significantly higher in females and the 60-70 year olds compared to males and >70 year olds. Of the sample, 46% was normal weight while 20, 16 and 18% were under weight, over weight and obese respectively. Age, gender and ethnicity were associated with being obese while ethnicity was associated with being overweight. Conclusion:The results indicate that the prevalence of under nutrition and overweight/ obesity was high in this sample of the elderly.

Determinants of Undernutrition and Associated Factors of Low Muscle Mass and High Fat Mass among Older Men and Women in the Colombo District of Sri Lanka

“…We found that the prevalence of undernutrition among the older people as 35.3% using composite criterion. In contrast, other studies which used BMI alone showed varying estimates ranging from 20% to 39% [11,13]. Prevalence of undernutrition using the MNA tool, which assesses undernutrition based on anthropometry, recent weight loss, reduced mobility, decrease in food intake and acute disease or psychological stress over the past three months, also appears to underestimate the prevalence in Asia relative to the The current study identified a number of key factors associated with having a significant inverse association with low muscle mass in men, which included, age ≥ 70 years, no school education or up to grade 5, presence of diabetes, disability in vision, little or no responsibility in food shopping and not getting nutritional advice from media.…”

“…We found that the prevalence of undernutrition among the older people as 35.3% using composite criterion. In contrast, other studies which used BMI alone showed varying estimates ranging from 20% to 39% [ 11 , 13 ]. Prevalence of undernutrition using the MNA tool, which assesses undernutrition based on anthropometry, recent weight loss, reduced mobility, decrease in food intake and acute disease or psychological stress over the past three months, also appears to underestimate the prevalence in Asia relative to the current study.…”

“…The estimated prevalence of undernutrition was 21–67% in a hospital setting [ 10 ] and 30% in elderly homes [ 8 ]. Within the community dwelling setting, wide variation can be observed in the prevalence of undernutrition in older people living in Sri Lanka and reported to be as high as 45% in some regions [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Most studies have applied anthropometric measurements alone or in combination with the MNA tool to assess undernutrition [ 10 , 11 ].…”

“…Within the community dwelling setting, wide variation can be observed in the prevalence of undernutrition in older people living in Sri Lanka and reported to be as high as 45% in some regions [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Most studies have applied anthropometric measurements alone or in combination with the MNA tool to assess undernutrition [ 10 , 11 ]. We have applied the new gold standard criteria described by the international nutritional societies, ASPEN or ESPEN, in assessing undernutrition [ 15 ] and explored the determinants of undernutrition in older Sri Lankans.…”

“…At the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM), all the major nutrition societies agreed on a phenotypic criterion, which includes low BMI and low muscle mass in diagnosing malnutrition [ 15 ]. BMI and fat mass were used (alone or in combination) in diagnosing malnutrition both in the clinical care setting and the community setting [ 11 , 13 ]. According to the WHO, mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) is an important indicator for estimating lean body mass linked to malnutrition [ 15 ].…”