NUTRITIONAL STATUS ELDERLY PEOPLE IN SIDI-BEL-ABBÈS (WEST ALGERIA)

The purpose of this study is to assess the nutritional status of a cohort of elderly people living independently at home in Sidi Bel Abbes (West Algeria). 205 elderly individuals were selected during general medical examinations. The evaluation concerns the anthropometric parameters (body weight, height, BMI,) biochemical (serum albumin) and score of screening Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA).The average age was 72.88±5.09 years with a feminine predominance with a percentage of (65,36). 96% of the population studied lived with their families. 86% were suffering from chronic diseases, with diabetes being the most frequent with a percentage of (55%). The means BMI was 26.64±4.35 kg.m2 and mean serum albumin level 42.36±6.93 g/L g.L-1. Using BMI and serum albumin level as a mean of screening; 8.29% and 12.20% have been considered as undernourished respectively, and using the MNA as a mean of screening; 69.27 of individuals presented a risk of malnutrition and 4.88% were undernourished. Although the BMI and the serum albumin are very practical tools, the MNA turns out to be a more sensitive tool for the premature detection of the malnutrition. The nutritional risk and prevalence of the malnutrition for this particular population are important and establish a real problem of public health.