Risk of malnutrition, food insecurity, dietary quality, and associated factors among Malawian older adults at hospital admission: a cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Malnutrition adversely affects health outcomes and healthcare costs; however, limited data are available on the prevalence and burden of malnutrition in older adults at hospital admission in developing countries. Therefore, this study aimed to undertake malnutrition screening among older adults at hospital admission and examine the relationship between nutritional status and a range of health and socio-ecological factors.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted in a large public referral hospital in Malawi, targeting older adults (aged ≥ 60 years). Participants were screened for risk of malnutrition using the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF) within 24-48 h of hospital admission. Those at risk of malnutrition/malnourished using the screening

SUBMITTER: Mphwanthe G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12512422 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature