Nutritional status and body composition, a cross-sectional study in older adults at gerontological centers in Hidalgo, Mexico

INTRODUCTION: Nutritional status in older adults is a critical determinant of frailty; however, the accuracy of diagnostic indicators is a matter of debate. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the nutritional status of ambulatory Mexican older adults using different diagnostic indicators. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study of 184 older adults affiliated with comprehensive gerontological centers in Hidalgo, Mexico. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, and body composition data were collected, and nutritional status was analyzed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA®). Comparisons by sex were performed, and correlations between nutritional status indicators were evaluated. RESULTS: People older than 75 years had lower weight and arm circumference than younger people (p < 0.05). With regard to body mass index (IMC), 53.8% were classified as overweight or obese; whereas 96.2% were classified as obese according to their body fat percentage (%GC). In people younger than 75 years, IMC was highly correlated with %GC (Rho=0.70, p < 0.001) and with calf circumference (Rho=0.68, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There is a need to assess body composition or use indicators complementary to IMC.