NUTRITION DEFICIENCY RISK ASSESSMENT OF FREE-LIVING OLDER ADULTS IN SINGAPORE

Background: The need to identify those at risk of nutrition deficiency is critical in promoting good nutritional status in older adults. Objectives: The study aims to assess the risk of nutrition deficiency of free living, older adults in Singapore. Design, Setting and Participants: Free-living adults (aged 50 and above) were recruited from various community centres under the supervision of the Peoples’ Association of Singapore. Measurements: Nutrition deficiency risk assessment was performed with all participants in person using the validated 15-item Seniors in the Community Risk Evaluation for Eating and Nutrition II (SCREEN II) tool. Anthropometric assessments were also conducted. Results: Majority (88.1%) of the one hundred ninety three participants (83.9% women, 66.8±8.3 years of age) showed risk of nutrition deficiency. 68.4% of the participants fell under the “high risk” group. The women showed higher risk of nutrition deficiency than the men in the study group. Less than 12% of the participants consumed five or more servings of vegetables and fruits in a day, and approximately 25% ingested less than two servings per day. Almost half of the participants consumed dairy products less than once a day. Less than 20% of the participants consumed more than 2 servings of dietary protein source daily. More than 60% of the participants were overweight. Conclusions: A significant proportion of free-living older adults in Singapore community is experiencing high risk of nutrition deficiency as measured by the SCREEN II. The same older adults are overweight and thereby are exposed to the elevated health risk associated with obesity.