Prevalence and Determinants of Undernutrition in A Sample of Dutch Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Results from Two Online Screening Tools

Jos W. Borkent, Elke Naumann, Emmelyne Vasse, Ellen van der Heijden and Marian A. E. de van der Schueren
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Jos W. Borkent: Dutch Malnutrition Steering Group, Nicolaas Witsenkade 13hs, 1017 ZR Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Elke Naumann: Dutch Malnutrition Steering Group, Nicolaas Witsenkade 13hs, 1017 ZR Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Emmelyne Vasse: Dutch Malnutrition Steering Group, Nicolaas Witsenkade 13hs, 1017 ZR Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Ellen van der Heijden: Dutch Malnutrition Steering Group, Nicolaas Witsenkade 13hs, 1017 ZR Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Marian A. E. de van der Schueren: Dutch Malnutrition Steering Group, Nicolaas Witsenkade 13hs, 1017 ZR Amsterdam, The Netherlands

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 9, 1-11

Abstract: To stimulate undernutrition screening among Dutch community-dwelling adults, a website was developed with general information on healthy eating for healthy aging and self-tests. Based on cross-sectional data obtained from the self-tests, we studied nutritional risk factors (early determinants) as well as risk of undernutrition (late symptoms). SCREEN II ( n = 2470) was used to asses nutritional risk factors. This tool consists of 16 items regarding nutritional intake, perception of body weight, appetite, oral health and meal preparation. An adjusted SNAQ65+ ( n = 687) was used to assess risk of undernutrition. This four-item tool contains questions on weight loss, appetite, walking stairs and body mass index. Differences between age-groups (65–74, 75–84, ≥85) were tested by logistic regression. Overall prevalence of nutritional risk factors was 84.1%, and increased risk of undernutrition was 56.8%. Participants aged ≥85 scored worst on almost all items of the SCREEN II and the SNAQ65+. In conclusion: A large proportion of older adults reported early determinants for increased nutrition risk, while a smaller, yet remarkable proportion scored positive on undernutrition risk. Internet screening may be a useful, contemporary, and easy, accessible way to reach older adults who are at nutritional risk and may thus contribute to early identification and prevention of undernutrition.

Keywords: undernutrition; malnutrition; community-dwelling older adults; nutritional risk; self-screening; screening tools; risk screening (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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