Physical Health status of the elderly in the district of Matale and risk factors for under nutrition among the rural elderly

Abstract

This study on physical health status of the elderly was carried out to assess: physical activity level; activities of daily living status; self reported disease prevalence; nutritional status and usefulness of body mass index (BMI), body mass index using arm span (BMA) and mid upper arm circumference of the elderly in assessing nutritional status in the urban, rural and estate sectors. Risk factors for under nutrition among rural elderly in the district of Matale, was also studied. This study found low levels of physical activity, poor nutritional status and high prevalence of common disease among the elderly. There are no special services focusing on elderly in the present health system. Therefore it is necessary to develop preventive, primitive and interventional programmes to maintain the health life style focusing on the elderly regarding physical activity, common disease and nutrition. Any programme aimed at the elderly should pay special attention to females, as they were more vulnerable, and constituted a lager proportion. Awareness on prevention, promotion and intervention programs to improve physical health and nutrition of the elderly, among the health care personal as well as general population needs to be addressed. In time to come health sector alone will not be able to shoulder the emerging problems of ageing and therefore multi-sect oral approach is advised.