Abstract

The study was conducted to observe the nutritional status and morbidity pattern of the selected Geriatric Population in Dhaka City. A number of 150 Geriatric People (77 Female, 73 Male) were interviewed and relevant information was collected through pretested standard questionnaires. Data collected through questionnaire were cleaned, edited and entered into software of the computer and analysis was carried out by using SPSS methods. The Nutritional Status part from Mini Nutritional Assessment showed that, the respondents of 7.3% had the severe decrease in food intake, 46.0% had moderate decrease in food intake and 46.7% had the no decrease in food intake. The respondents of 5.3% had weight loss greater than 3kg (6.6lbs), 6.0% respondents didn’t have the idea about weight loss, 44.0% respondents were having weight loss between 1 and 3kg (2.2 and 6.6lbs) and 44.67% respondents were losing no weight during the last 3 months. The total respondents of 22.67% had MAC less than 21cm, 35.33% had MAC 21 to 22cm and 42.0% have MAC greater than 22cm. The total respondents of 6.7% had BMI (less than 19), 10.7% hade BMI (19 to less than 21), 15.3% had BMI (21 to less than 23) and 67.3% had BMI (23 or greater). The total respondents of 27.33% were at normal nutritional status, 42.0% respondents were at risk of malnutrition status and 30.67% respondents were at malnourished status. The total respondents of 60% were having CC less than 31cm and other 40% respondents were having CC 31cm or greater than 31cm. The total respondents of 18.0% were not considered as good health status in comparison with other people of the same age, 19.3% considered nothing as they don’t know about their health, 49.3% respondents were considered their health as good in comparison with other people of the same age and 13.3% respondents were considered better health in comparison with other people of the same age.

Keywords:Nutritional status; Morbidity pattern; Geriatric population; Dhaka city