Malnutrition and its risk factors particularly family system in elderly population of Karachi

Aim: to determine the frequency of malnutrition,its risk factors and to compare the effects of living system (alone or joint family) on malnutrition among elderly population of karachi. methods: comparative cross sectional study was conducted on elderly of various towns of karachi for 8 months. a total of 206 samples were selected through convenient technique including people age 60 years and above while excluded those who were bed ridden,had malignancy or any debilitating disease. results: total population surveyed comprised of 206 elderly of which 61% were women. mean age for the population was 67.04±6.19years. according to mna scale,20% of studied population was found to be malnourished while 46% were at risk. malnutrition was found to have statistically significant association with female,house wives and living alone (p < 0.05). conclusion: malnutrition is prevalent in elderly population of karachi particularly in those who live alone. significant factors include living alone,decrease in amount,frequency & type of food intake,physical immobility,depression & dementia. an integrated approach for early identification,counseling regarding healthy food and lifestyles and promotion of joint family system would be required to overcome the malnutrition and its deleterious effects.