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A STUDY OF CORRELATION OF ANTHROPOMETRIC PARAMETERS AND MNA SCORE BETWEEN YOUNG AND ELDERLY PEOPLE

Ramesh Bhat, Meenu S, Nayanatara AK DeviprasadS and Ganaraja B

Anthropometric parameters and nutrition have been well correlated in a number of studies. But Anthropometric data did not always give the accurate picture of health in communities. In the present study we evaluated the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) score and correlated the outcome with the Waist to Hip ratio (W/H ratio), Body mass index (BMI) in Young subjects and elderly subjects. In the present study we evaluated 240 Young subjects (120 males and 120 females; aged 21±2 years) and 221 elderly subjects (105 males and 116 females; aged 55±5 years). Their BMI was calculated and Waist –to-Hip ratio was recorded. MNA was evaluated by giving them the standard questionnaire. A careful analysis of results suggested that the MNA scores were higher in younger groups compared to older group (p<0.01). In Females, W/H ratio was significantly higher in older group (p<0.01). In males, the W/H ratio was not showing any significant difference. Among males, BMI was higher in younger group in all categories (p<0.01). Therefore BMI was well correlated with the MNA scores in males. In females, the waist to hip ratio was significantly increased in elderly; their body mass index was lower among older group. MNA score followed a similar trend in both groups. Thus it appears that aging process in females differs from that in males.