Background: Malnut ri tion in insti tutional ized elderly is of individual and publ ic concern and should be evaluated
Aim: To assess the nut ri tional status and discuss the relation between malnutri tion and food system among
female residents of elderly homes in Cai ro, Egypt .
Methods: From seven elderly homes in Cai ro, two hundred female residents were randomly selected. Medical data
was col lected. The MNA was used to assess thei r nut ri tional status then a questionnai re assessing the feeding
system in the elderly homes was appl ied to nursing home personnel .
Results: Among the 200 par t icipants, 28(14%) of them were malnourished, 94 (47%) were at risk of malnut ri tion
and 78 (39%) were wel l nour ished . The nursing home characters decreasing the risk of malnut ri tion were the
presence of dining room, food variabi l i ty, avai labi l i ty of al ternate food and the presence of dietician. Regarding
food habi ts; nasogast ric feeding, water cups <5.0 per day, non-f ried food, presence of diet regimens, absence of
snacks and absence of external food were associated wi th malnut ri tion.
Conclusions: Elderly homes play a crucial role in provision of a heal thy envi ronment for residents. To achieve
bet ter nut ri tional status, adjusting food system is needed. Pr esence of a dietician among the staff in elderly homes
has a paramount role in residents' nut ri tional status.