Examining Predictors of Nutritional Risk among Older Adults: A Needs Assessment

Abstract

Older adults are the fastest growing population in the United States. This group is at risk for developing chronic diseases resulting from high nutritional risk. The objective of this study was to assess nutritional risks and their key predictors among older adults. In this cross-sectional study, the Dietary Screening Tool, the Nutrition Self-efficacy Scale, food security, perceived health, and sociodemographics were measured. A total of 475, English-speaking adults, 50 years of age or older, residing in Maryland and attending senior congregate sites, participated in the study (urban n = 215, rural n = 260). Results showed 88.8% of participants were classified as being nutritionally ‘at risk’ or ‘possible’ risk. Higher education level, higher nutrition self-efficacy, and food security were significant predictors associated with lower nutritional risk among older adults. Implementing suitable and effective nutrition interventions requires assessing diet and identifying the needs specific to older adult populations. Utilizing appropriate screening tools is an important step in improving overall diets and may reduce barriers to adopting healthy eating behaviors in this population.

Keywords:

• Dietary screening tool
• food insecurity
• needs assessment
• nutrition self-efficacy
• nutritional risk
• older adults

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank our study participants, Maryland Department of Aging, Area Agencies on Aging, and senior sites for their participation and partnership. Also, thank you to the University of Maryland Extension FCS educators for collecting the data and University of Maryland students who assisted in this project.

Author contributions

All authors contributed to the interpretation of the data, writing, and editing the manuscript critically for important intellectual content. All authors reviewed and approved the final version.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by the University of Maryland Extension, FCS Healthy Living Program. There was no external funding.