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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #107921
Title: NUTRITIONAL AND HEALTH STATUS OF THE ELDERLY

Author
item IDRIS, RAFIDA - ALCORN STATE UNIV
item GRAHAM-KRESGE, SUSAN - UNIV SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
item JAIRAJ, KOMALAM - UNIV OF ARK-PINE BLUFF
item NEAL, EDITH - UNIV ARK-PINE BLUFF

Submitted to: Nutrition and Health Status in the Lower Mississippi Delta of AR, LA, & MS
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/1/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The elderly population is especially vulnerable to nutrition related health problems. Also, the elderly exhibit the highest prevalence and severity of chronic disease of any age group. The health of elderly individuals in the region is important and has been little studied. The elderly tend to have more health problems and require more intensive health care than younger adults, and often suffer from remediable problems (such as cataracts) which significantly influence their quality of life. Among the elderly, the poor are particularly vulnerable to inadequate food and to malnutrition in this rural, sparsely populated area. In Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, respectively, persons aged 65 yr and older comprise 14.9%, 11.1%, and 12.5% of the total population, similar to the nation as a whole. In the three Delta states, the oldest old currently constitute 1 to 1.5% of the population. Nationally, elderly women outnumber elderly men by 100 to 15, although among the oldest old population, there are 39 men per 100 women. The elderly are vulnerable to nutrition-related health problems for physiological, psychological and socioeconomic reasons. Diet plays a significant role in 5 of the 10 leading causes of death in the US. The 10 most prevalent reported health conditions for persons ages 65 and older are higher prevalences of arthritis and hypertension and heart disease.