Downloads: 0
Research Paper | Nutrition Science | Volume 15 Issue 5, May 2026 | Pages: 519 - 523 | India
A Comparative Study on the Prevalence of Malnutrition and Dietary Assessment among Elderly Women in Residential Care Facilities and Independent Homes
Abstract: Elderly women's overall health, quality of life, and death rates are all impacted by malnutrition, which is a serious public health concern. The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of malnutrition among older women living in independent homes and residential care facilities. The quantitative research design is used in this study. Stratified sampling was used to choose the samples. Eighty participants in all were chosen for the study. Of these, forty were chosen from residential care facilities (Group II) and forty from independent households (Group I). The risk of malnutrition was assessed using malnutrition screening tools including the Mini Nutritional Assessment and Malnutrition Universal Screening. The 3-Day Dietary Recall was used to measure the macronutrient intake of both groups. The study's findings demonstrated that malnutrition was more prevalent among women residing in residential care facilities than among those living on their own. Dietary patterns in residential care facilities were less favourable compared to those in independent homes. Both Group I and Group II had low energy consumption when comparing macronutrient intake. Group II consumed less protein and carbohydrates, whereas Group I consumed more protein. Both groups consumed an excessive amount of fat. This emphasizes how critical it is to treat older women's nutritional status. Those who were found to be malnourished were consequently given nutrition education, highlighting the urgent need for targeted interventions to enhance their nutritional well-being.
Keywords: Malnutrition, elderly women, residential care facilities, independent homes, dietary pattern
How to Cite?: Aparna S, Eunice Jespi V, Dr. Deepa C Philip, "A Comparative Study on the Prevalence of Malnutrition and Dietary Assessment among Elderly Women in Residential Care Facilities and Independent Homes", Volume 15 Issue 5, May 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 519-523, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26506153338, DOI: https://dx.dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26506153338