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[Family dysfunction and malnutrition in the elderly].
Karla Berenice Carrazco-Peña1, Carlos Enrique Tene, Alejandro Manuel Elizalde
1Facultad de Medicina, Centro Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad de Colima, Colima, Colima, México. dra_carrazco@hotmail.com.
Revista Medica Del Instituto Mexicano Del Seguro Social
|February 15, 2015
Summary
Family dysfunction significantly increases the risk of malnutrition in older adults. This study highlights the link between poor family environments and nutritional status in the elderly population.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Nutritional Science
- Sociology
Background:
- Malnutrition is a common issue in the elderly, influenced by aging-related biological, functional, and psychosocial factors.
- Investigating the link between family dynamics and nutritional status is crucial for understanding elderly health.
- Family dysfunction (FD) presents a potential contributing factor to malnutrition in this demographic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between family dysfunction and the prevalence of malnutrition among elderly individuals.
- To quantify the risk of malnutrition in the elderly experiencing family dysfunction.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted with 103 elderly participants (over 60 years).
- Family dysfunction was assessed using the Family Apgar, with a score of 7 indicating dysfunction.
- Nutritional status was evaluated using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), with a score of 22 or less indicating poor nutrition.
Main Results:
- Elderly individuals in the family dysfunction group had a significantly higher proportion of malnutrition (79.4%) compared to those without dysfunction (10.1%).
- Family dysfunction was associated with an 11.8-fold increased odds of malnutrition (OR = 11.8, 95% CI 3.97-36.5, p = 0.001).
- No significant differences in functionality were observed across demographic variables like sex, occupation, or marital status.
Conclusions:
- Family dysfunction is strongly associated with malnutrition in the elderly, as identified by the MNA.
- The impact of family dysfunction extends beyond malnutrition, showing links to chronic diseases like diabetes, pneumonia, and hypertension.
- Addressing family dynamics may be an important component in strategies to prevent malnutrition and improve overall health in the elderly.
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