Prevalence of malnutrition among old people in Africa: systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective: To summarise available evidence and estimate the pooled prevalence of malnutrition among old people in Africa.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Setting: Any healthcare or community research reporting the prevalence or incidence of malnutrition in Africa from January 2000 to October 2021.

Participants: Old people, aged above 60 years.

Outcome measures: Malnutrition, either undernutrition or overnutrition.

Results: A total of 1442 studies were retrieved based on the search strategy, where only 36 studies (n=15 266 participants) reported from 11 African countries were included for meta-analysis. The reported prevalence of malnutrition ranges from 2.2% to 77.3% across the continent. Overall, the pooled prevalence rates of undernutrition and overnutrition were 18% (95% CI: 15% to 22%; I²=98.1; p<0.001) and 33% (95% CI: 22% to 44%; p<0. 001), respectively.

Conclusion: The prevalence of malnutrition in old African people is high and differs by setting, assessment tool and country of residence. Hence, due attention to geriatric nutrition is mandatory, and the need for a valid, reliable and simple screening tool should be thought of.

Keywords: EPIDEMIOLOGY; GERIATRIC MEDICINE; NUTRITION & DIETETICS; Old age psychiatry.