Prevalence of Undernutrition and Risk of Undernutrition in Overweight and Obese Older People

Abstract

Older people with excess body weight are not spared from undernutrition. They may face appetite decline which may lead to insufficient nutrient intake. They also have a higher risk of developing chronic diseases which may have a negative impact on protein-anabolic pathways. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of undernutrition in overweight and obese older people from a secondary analysis on data collected through two French surveys among people aged 65 or over (n = 782; 31% men; 65–103 years old). Undernutrition was assessed using the MNA screening tool (Mini-Nutritional Assessment). Results showed that 2% of the respondents with a BMI over 25 were undernourished (MNA score below 17/30) and 23% were at risk of undernutrition (MNA score of 17–23.5). Specifically, 18% of overweight and 29% of obese respondents were at risk of undernutrition. Taking into account the most recent French census data, it can be estimated that in France, around 1,7 million people aged over 65 with a BMI over 25 are undernourished or at risk of undernutrition. Given the worldwide increase in the number of overweight/obese individuals in the last few decades, further research will be needed to develop strategies to tackle nutritional risk in overweight/obese older adults.