1- Instructor of Nursing Departement, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran 
                    
                    
                    Abstract:       (6767 Views)
                    
                    
                    Objective (s): To assess nutritional status in an elderly population living in nursing homes.
Method: This was a cross- sectional study of 199 elderly people 60 years old or above living in nursing homes in Arak, Iran. Data on nutrition was collected using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). 
Results: The findings showed that 19.6% of elderly were suffering from malnutrition, 53.3% were at risk of malnutrition, and in 27.1% nutritional status was satisfactory. Of those suffering from malnutrition 77.2% reported 1 to 3 chronic diseases or physical impairments. There were significant associations between nutrition and some health conditions (P<0.001).
Conclusion: The findings suggest that elderly people living in nursing home should be cared for their nutritional status.
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    type of study:  
Descriptive |
                    
                      
Accepted: 2011/10/24 | ePublished ahead of print: 2013/02/25 | Published: 2013/03/15