Nutr Res Pract.  2024 Jun;18(3):400-411. 10.4162/nrp.2024.18.3.400.

Malnutrition and its associated factors among community-dwelling older men living alone

• Kim G
• Hwang M
• Lee S
• Park YH

• KMID: 2558512
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4162/nrp.2024.18.3.400

Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES
Older men who live alone are more vulnerable to poor nutrition. However, little attention has been paid to malnutrition among this population. This study aimed to examine malnutrition and its associated factors among communitydwelling older men living alone.
SUBJECTS/METHODS
This cross-sectional descriptive study used cohort data of communitydwelling older adults living alone in South Korea. A total of 230 older men aged 65 and over were included in this study. Nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form. Multidimensional factors (sociodemographic, health-related, psychosocial, and lifestyle characteristics) were evaluated. Hierarchical logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the malnutrition-related factors.
RESULTS
The prevalence of malnutrition was 32.2% in older men living alone. Low income (odds ratio [OR], 2.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–5.90), polypharmacy (OR, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.16–4.28), suicidal ideation (OR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.02–4.45), meal skipping (OR, 3.26; 95% CI, 1.60–6.64), and smoking (OR, 2.86; 95% CI, 1.43–5.73) were significantly associated with malnutrition.
CONCLUSION
Malnutrition is a severe health problem in older men living alone. This study highlights the importance of comprehensive and tailored interventions to mitigate malnutrition among older men living alone.

Keyword

Aged; Korea; nutritional status; men; prevalence

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