Overweight and risk for undernutrition among persons within special accommodations and hospital care – Year 2005 and 2007

Rationale: Both undernutrition and overweight have major impacts on morbidity and mortality and are thus important to prevent. This study explores the prevalence of undernutrition and overweight among persons in special accommodations (SAs) and hospital care in the year of 2005 and 2007. Methods: Six hospitals and all of the SAs within six municipalities were involved. In the year of 2005, 2600 (88%) out of 2945 persons agreed to participate in the study, and in 2007 there were 2255 (81%) out of 2784 persons participating. Risk for undernutrition was defined as the occurrence of at least two of the following; involuntary weight loss, Body Mass Index (BMI) below limit (<20 if /=70 yrs) and/or presence of eating difficulties. Overweight was defined based on BMI (if /=25: if >/=70 yrs: BMI >/=27)[1]. Nursing students, clinical tutors and staff collected the data. Results: The mean age and the risk for undernutrition increased significantly in SAs between the two years. The prevalence of overweight increased with three percent in hospitals as well as in SAs although this increase was not statistically significant. Table:

Percent of persons at risk for undernutrition and with overweight

 

SAs2005 (n=1726)

SAs2007 (n=1526)

P-value

Hospitals2005 (n=874)

Hospitals2007 (n=728)

P-value

 

Agemean (SD)

85 (8)

86 (8)

<0.001

69 (18)

69 (16)

0.987

At risk forundernutrition

27

35

<0.001

27

28

0.947

Overweight

30

33

0.089

39

42

0.182

 

SAs = Special Accommodations

Conclusion: The society in general and health care professionals in specific needs to consider not only prevention for persons at risk for undernutrition, but also the prevention for persons becoming overweight. Reference(s) Only 3 Lines maximum: 1. Westergren A, Lindholm C, Axelsson C & Ulander K. Prevalence of eating difficulties and malnutrition among persons within hospital care and special accommodations. The Journal of Nutrition Health and Aging 2008, Vol 12, Number 1, Page 39-43.