Malnutrition and associated factors in elderly hospitalized.

OBJECTIVES To investigate the frequency of malnutrition and associated factors in patients over 65 years of age in a hospital. METHODS We conducted an observational, crosssectional and descriptive study. Department of Nutritional Support, Hospital Medica Sur, Mexico, we evaluated patients over 65 years of age within the first 24 hours of admission. RESULTS We evaluated 769 patients, 49% of whom were women and 51% were men, with an average age of 75.3 ± 7.7 years. Among the patients evaluated, 53.6% exhibited an altered nutritional state. In addition, 9% were diagnosed as obese and 15% as overweight. Their risk of malnutrition was determined to be 22.5%, and at the time of admission, 7% were malnourished. CONCLUSION The prevalence of malnutrition in hospitalized patients over 65 years of age was high. Thus, the early diagnosis of patients who are at risk for malnutrition or who are malnourished is essential and allows for prompt treatment.