Malnutrition Among the Slum Dwelling Elderly: A Study in Pune City

Demographic and nutrition transition has affected the overall nutrition status among the elderly. Despite knowing that malnutrition among elderly is a significant issue research claims that this phenomenon is explored regularly but evidence suggests under reporting of the same. This health challenge is of the highest concern knowing the associated implications on the overall health of the elderly. The underlying social fabric may affect malnutrition among the elderly individuals given the vulnerability associated with respect to gender, socioeconomic situations, improper diet, and sedentary lifestyle of the elderly in the slums. This is an empirical cross-sectional study among 431 elderly in the selected slum dwelling in Pune city. Nutrition status using Body Mass Index (BMI) was assessed. The findings suggest more than half of slum dwelling elderly had a compromised nutritional status with higher number of the females as compared to males. The existing national policies and program initiatives don’t translate into the nutritional well-being of the slum dwelling elderly. Preventive measures and dietary interventions need to be undertaken to deal with malnutrition among the slum dwelling elderly.