The number of older adults is projected to increase from 14 to 20%, reaching 69.4 million by 2003. Undernutrition is a common but under-diagnosed problem associated with increasing age, social isolation, and physical disability. Undernutrition in the older adult, if left untreated and undiagnosed, is associated with early admission into the nursing home, longer hospital stays, increased morbidity and mortality, and enormous health care costs. The purpose of this research study is to investigate underweight, community dwelling, older adult's (age 65 and older) understanding and implementation of recommendations for weight stabilization given to them by health care providers.
The specific aims of this descriptive study are to: (1) Describe community dwelling older adults who are underweight; (2) Describe the underweight older adult's understanding of nutritional advice given by health care providers; (3) Identify nutritional strategies that older adults successfully implement. Data gathered in this study will provide important insights into factors that contribute to early diagnosis and intervention of undernutrition in community dwelling, elders. The goal is to assist health care professionals to know when and how to intervene to arrest undernutrition.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
5F31NR009165-02
Application #
6946459
Study Section
National Institute of Nursing Research Initial Review Group (NRRC)
Program Officer
Bakos, Alexis D
Project Start
2004-09-01
Project End
2006-06-02
Budget Start
2005-09-09
Budget End
2006-06-02
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2005
Total Cost
$25,004
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California San Francisco
Department
Other Health Professions
Type
Schools of Nursing
DUNS #
094878337
City
San Francisco
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94143
Thompson Martin, Carolyn; Kayser-Jones, Jeanie; Stotts, Nancy et al. (2006) Nutritional risk and low weight in community-living older adults: a review of the literature (1995-2005). J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 61:927-34