WHAT IS ASSOCIATED WITH NUTRITION RISK IN VERY OLD AGE?

Objectives: To identify factors associated with nutrition risk among a purposive sample of those in advanced aged. Design: A cross sectional feasibility study. Setting: Three North Island locations in New Zealand. Participants: One hundred and eight community-living residents aged 75- 85 years. Measurements: Nutrition risk was assessed using a validated questionnaire, Seniors in the Community: Risk Evaluation for Eating and Nutrition, Version II (SCREEN II). A Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) was used to determine level of physical activity. Markers of body composition, grip strength and fasting blood samples were collected. Results: Fifty-two percent of participants were at high nutrition risk (SCREEN II score <50; range 29-58; out of maximum score 64). The mean score for SCREEN II was higher for older people who lived with others (50.3 +/- 5.1) compared to those who lived alone (46.4 +/- 5.8) p=0.001. The SCREEN II score was positively correlated with the total PASE score r=0.20 (p=0.042), grip strength r=0.20 (p=0.041), and muscle mass percentage r=0.31 (p=0.004). Lower levels of haemoglobin, serum zinc and physical activity were associated with higher nutrition risk. Conclusion: Half the participants were at high nutrition risk. They tended to be widowed or live alone and had lower levels of haemoglobin and serum zinc. Those at lower nutrition risk had greater muscle mass and strength, lower body fat, consumed alcohol more frequently and engaged in more physical activity. Strategies which encourage older people to eat meals and be physically active with others may assist to improve their health.