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Nutrition risk among seniors participating in the Elderly Nutrition Program in rural northern California
Author(s) -
Morris Michelle Neyman,
Presley Yolanda,
Schneider Julie,
Silliman Kathryn
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.738.2
Subject(s) - checklist , medicine , gerontology , environmental health , psychology , cognitive psychology
The objective of this study was to assess nutritional risk among community‐dwelling seniors participating in the Elderly Nutrition Program in rural northern California. A convenience sample of 140 seniors, aged 60 and older (61 receiving Home Delivered Meals (HDM), and 79 participating in the Congregate Site Meal Program (CSMP)), was surveyed. Nutritional risk was assessed using the validated DETERMINE checklist. Interviews were also conducted to gather qualitative data on nutrition concerns identified by service providers and seniors. Thirty‐five percent of CSMP, and 78% of HDM participants were at moderate or high nutritional risk based on the DETERMINE checklist. Seniors 75 years of age or older (66% of sample), widowed seniors, those receiving HDM, and those with self‐reported high blood pressure, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease were at significantly greater nutritional risk. Approximately half of the subjects ate alone, had an illness or condition that altered their dietary intake, and were consuming two or fewer servings of fruits and vegetables daily. In addition, accessible and affordable transportation was identified as a key need based on the survey and interviews. These results, which suggest nutritional risk among this sample, may guide service providers in future program planning aimed at improving the nutritional status of community‐dwelling seniors.