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Methodology for Establishing a Community-Wide Life Laboratory for Capturing Unobtrusive and Continuous Remote Activity and Health Data
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How healthy is our geriatric population? a community-based cross-sectional study
Sherin S Paul1, Vinod Joseph Abraham1
1Department of Community Health, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India.
Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care
|May 8, 2015
Summary
This study found that 10.9% of community-dwelling older adults are at risk of malnutrition, with 38.2% experiencing anemia and 20.6% having physical disabilities. Older age and female sex were associated with higher risks for anemia and physical disability.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- The aging population necessitates attention to nutritional status and physical disability.
- These aspects are often overlooked in community-dwelling elderly individuals.
- This study addresses the prevalence of malnutrition, anemia, and physical disability in this demographic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of malnutrition, anemia, and physical disability.
- To identify risk factors associated with these conditions in community-dwelling older adults.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted in rural Tamil Nadu, India.
- 17 villages were selected using cluster sampling, with 340 participants aged 60+.
- Nutritional status (Mini Nutritional Assessment), physical disability (Barthel Index), and anemia were assessed.
Main Results:
- Prevalence rates were: at risk of malnutrition (10.9%), anemia (38.2%), and physical disability (20.6%).
- No participants were found to be malnourished.
- Anemia and physical disability were significantly higher in older age groups and among women.
Conclusions:
- High prevalence of anemia and physical disability exists in community-dwelling older adults.
- Older age and female sex are significant risk factors.
- Further research is needed to understand the causes of high anemia rates.
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