Health Sci Rep. 2025 Dec 17;8(12):e71664. doi: 10.1002/hsr2.71664. eCollection 2025 Dec.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Hospital undernutrition is a major problem affecting the health of adult and elderly patients. The aim of this study was to contribute to the nutritional care of adults and elderly people in hospitals by determining the prevalence of undernutrition and identifying its determinants.
METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between April 1 and May 31, 2025, at the Bafoussam Regional Hospital. A sample of 110 hospitalized patients, comprising adults (aged 21-69 years) and elderly individuals (aged ≥ 70 years), was recruited from various departments of the hospital. Data collection was carried out using a questionnaire, and the diagnosis of undernutrition was established based on the recommendations of the GLIM (Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition). Data were analyzed with SPSS software, and the Chi-square test was used to determine significant associations (p < 0.05).
RESULTS: The results reveal an overall prevalence of undernutrition of 68.18%, and also 79.4% of overweight or obese patients were undernourished according to their weight history. The medical factors significantly associated with undernutrition include the presence of comorbidities (p < 0.001, OR = 22.37, CI [1.14-437.91]), length of hospital stay (p = 0.014, OR = 4.77, CI [1.19-19.07]), polypharmacy (p < 0.001, OR = 2.48, CI [2.03-7.25]), loss of appetite (p < 0.001, OR = 11, CI [4.17-28.87]), chewing or swallowing disorders (p < 0.001, OR = 7.0, CI [1.61-30.4]), and psychological disorders (p < 0.001, OR = 11.9, CI [4.65-30.62]). Regarding eating habits, meal frequency (p < 0.001, OR = 51.76, CI [4.2-79.1]), the ability to finish one's plate (p < 0.001, OR = 10.13, CI [3.28-11.82]), adherence to a restrictive diet (p = 0.034, OR = 0.55, CI [0.07-0.98]), low consumption of dairy products and animal proteins (p < 0.001, OR = 2.4, CI [0.34-10.32]), as well as adherence to food preference (p < 0.001, OR = 2.23, CI [0.11-6.21]) were strongly correlated with the patients' nutritional status.
CONCLUSION: The prevalence of undernutrition at the Bafoussam Regional Hospital is alarming and is explained by a complex interaction between severe medical determinants, socio-economic vulnerabilities, and inadequate hospital dietary practices.
PMID:41416131 | PMC:PMC12710069 | DOI:10.1002/hsr2.71664