Gerontology & Geriatric Research

Abstract

Nutritional and Micronutrient Status of Elderly People Living in a Rural Community of Bangladesh

Sumon Kumar Das, Abu Syed Golam Faruque, Shahnawaz Ahmed, Abdullah Al Mamun, Rubhana Raqib, Anjan Kumar Roy, Mohammod Jobayer Chisti, Tahmeed Ahmed and Mohammed Abdus Salam

Background: To assess the nutrition and micronutrient status of elderly population in the rural area of Bangladesh.

Method: Healthy 44 elderly (≥ 60 years) and 88 middle aged (40–59 years) men and women were studied during April-September 2010. Their anthropometric status, micronutrient status and biochemical markers were assessed.

Result: Mean body mass index (BMI), hemoglobin, alanine transaminase (ALT), albumin, vitamin B12, and fasting blood sugar (FBS) were significantly lower and serum creatinine, vitamin D and folate were significantly higher among elderly compared to that of middle aged population. However, uric acid (UA), calcium, zinc, and retinol were identical in both the groups. Individual being elderly, impacted on decreased level of hemoglobin (0.67 gm/dl), vitamin B12 (38.76 pmol/L), albumin (0.12 gm/dL), zinc (0.03 mg/L) and FBS (0.88 μmol/L) after adjusting for covariates.

Conclusion: Elderly had compromised nutritional status with lower levels of hemoglobin, FBS, vitamin and micronutrient.