Factors associated with high nutrition risk among Oklahoma Older Americans Act Nutrition Program participants

Abstract

Scope and Method of Study:

Findings and Conclusions: Factors associated with nutritional risk among 18,488 Oklahoma Title III congregate and home delivered meal participants were evaluated using the "Determine Your Nutritional Health" (DYNH) checklist. Eighteen percent of congregate and 42% of home delivered meal participants scored at high nutritional risk. Significant differences were observed in DYNH scores among participants based on age, gender, race, geographic location, poverty level, living arrangement and type of meal received. Differences were observed in Oklahoma Title III Elderly Nutrition Program participants' responses to DYNH checklist statements by nutritional risk. The results of this study indicate potential problem areas for targeting programs and services to reduce high nutritional risk among Oklahoma Title III Elderly Nutrition Program participants.

Eighty-six percent of those who scored at high nutritional risk answered "yes" to the statement "I am not always able to shop, cook, or feed myself". Oklahoma OAANP congregate and home delivered meal participants who reported they were not always able to shop, cook and feed themselves had significantly lower Instrumental Activities of Daily Living factor scores, had significantly lower Financial Security factor scores. Both congregate and home delivered meal participants who reported they were not always able to shop, cook and feed self were significantly less financially secure and congregate meal participants were significantly more likely to run out of money for food or transportation. Home delivered meal participants who reported they were not always able to shop, cook and feed self had significantly higher Social Network factor scores.