Underweight and malnutrition in home care: A multicenter study
Nils A Lahmann1, Antje Tannen1, Ralf Suhr2
1Department of Health and Nursing Science, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, D-13359 Berlin, Germany.
Clinical Nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland)
|October 14, 2015
Summary
Malnutrition and underweight affect many home care clients. Regular weighing is crucial for early detection of weight loss, a key indicator of these nutritional issues.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Nutritional Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Home care clients represent a vulnerable population with significant nutritional challenges.
- Underweight and malnutrition are prevalent issues impacting the health and well-being of individuals receiving home care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of underweight and malnutrition in home care clients.
- To identify risk factors associated with these nutritional deficiencies.
- To document nutritional nursing interventions provided to this population.
Main Methods:
- A multicenter point prevalence study involving 878 home care clients across Germany in 2012.
- Utilized standardized protocols for demographic and nutritional assessments, including Body Mass Index (BMI), Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST), and Mini Nutritional Assessment - short form (MNA-sf).
- Analyzed nutritional risk factors using logistic regression.
Main Results:
- Malnutrition prevalence ranged from 4.8% (MNA-sf) to 6.8% (MUST); underweight prevalence ranged from 8.7% (BMI) to 10.2% (clinical judgment).
- High rates of missing data for weight loss were noted (MNA-sf 48.8%, MUST 39.1%).
- Factors like mental overload, feeding assistance needs, and loss of appetite were significantly associated with malnutrition and underweight.
Conclusions:
- Malnutrition and underweight pose significant health concerns for home care recipients.
- Implementing regular weighing for all home care clients is essential for timely detection of potential weight loss.
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