OBJECTIVEUndernutrition is highly prevalent among older people. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of undernutrition in elderly Chinese residents and explore the relationship between undernutrition and dietary factors.

METHODSData were collected from 2,552 elderly people aged 75 years and over from the Chinese Nutrition and Health Surveillance during 2010-2012 using questionnaires, anthropometric measurement, and individual consecutive 3-day 24-hour dietary records.

RESULTSThe present study showed that 10.5% of participants had undernutrition. The prevalence was higher among the population living in rural areas, those living in the South region, those who smoked, and those with low income levels. Most participants failed to meet the Chinese Dietary Reference Intakes for energy (66.1%) and protein (72.1%). When comparing quartiles of food intake, high rice consumption [odds ratio (OR) = 2.44, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.35-4.40)], animal oil intake (OR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.18-2.17), and high fat intake from animal sources (OR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.06-2.31) were positively associated with underweight whereas high wheat consumption (OR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.26-0.74), a proper proportion (24%-32%) of energy intake from fat (OR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.35-0.83), and high fat intake from plant sources (OR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.46-0.99) were inversely related.

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of undernutrition was high among elderly Chinese people, especially in rural areas. Dietary factors, such as high consumption of rice, were associated with undernutrition.