Objective: To explore the status of nutrition and associated factors among elderly in China.
Methods: Based the 2010-2012 China National Nutrition and Health Survey(CNNHS), a total of 34 373 participants aged 60 years and older were included in the analysis. People without weight, height, education level, family income level, drinking, smoking status and lack of physical activity information were excluded. The survey adopted a multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling method proportional to the population. Dietary data were collected by the 24-hour-dietary for 3 days questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression model was performed to examine the association between sociodemographic characteristics and dietary intake with status of nutrition.
Results: The 34 373 subjects aged 60 years and older had a 6. 2% low body weight, 31. 8% overweight and 11. 5% obesity. The prevalent of low body weight of elderly women(6. 1%) was higher than that of elderly men(1. 4%). Women(47. 1%)had a higher overweight/obesity prevalence than men(39. 3%)(OR=1. 19, 95% CI 1. 10-1. 28). Participants living in rural areas had a higher prevalence of low body weight(OR=1. 41, 95% CI 1. 07-1. 86) and a lower overweight/obesity prevalence than urban residents(OR=0. 72, 95% CI 0. 61-0. 86). Education levels was negatively associated with low body weight(P<0. 05), but positively associated with overweight/obesity prevalence(P<0. 05). Physical activity levels were inversely related with low body weightand overweight/obesity(P<0. 05). High intake of wheat was associated with a decreased low body weight and an increased overweight/obesity prevalence(P<0. 05). The prevalence of overweight/obesity was negatively related with high intake of rice and organ meat(P<0. 05).
Conclusion: Sex, region, education level, household income, smoking status, physical activity level and dietary intake were associated with the status of nutrition among elderly in China.
Keywords: associated factors; body mass index; elderly; nutrition status.