Factors associated with poor appetite among residents at selected long-term care facilities in Selangor, Malaysia

Al-junid, Duaa and Chan, Yoke Mun and Siti Nur Asyura Adznam, . and Chin, Yit Siew and Zalilah Mohd Shariff, . and Lim, Poh Ying and Sazlina Shariff Ghazali, . and Tanti Irawati Rosli, . (2024) Factors associated with poor appetite among residents at selected long-term care facilities in Selangor, Malaysia. Malaysian Journal of Nutrition (Malaysia), 30 (1). pp. 1-14. ISSN 1394 – 035X

Introduction: Poor appetite is prevalent among older adults and may negatively impact on their overall health. This is especially true for institutionalised residents. Despite this, there is a paucity of research on appetite and its associated factors among institutionalised residents, which signified the present study. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among elderly residents at long-term care facilities in the state of Selangor, Malaysia to ascertain their appetite status and its associated factors. Results: A total of 97 residents with mean age of 74.2±8.4 years old were recruited. They comprised 61.9% females and 38.1% males. More than 50% had poor appetite with early satiety. There were 63.0%, 82.4%, and 94.8% who had poor oral health, poor sleep quality, and depression, respectively. Ethnicity (OR=2.73; 95% CI=1.00-7.44; p=0.049) was the only factor that predicted poor appetite among older adults in long-term care facilities, with Malay residents having poorer appetite than their Chinese and Indian counterparts. Conclusion: The prevalence of poor appetite was high among residents staying at long-term care facilities in Selangor, Malaysia, especially among Malays. This issue deserves further studies to identify the specific underlying factors contributing to poor appetite among older adults from different ethnicities. Acknowledging the high prevalence of poor appetite among older adults and its possible unfavorable outcomes, appropriate nutrition interventions are therefore needed to address this issue among institutionalised elderly.

Full text available from: Official URL: https://maljnutr.org.my/publication/30-1/Vol%2030(...

Abstract

Introduction: Poor appetite is prevalent among older adults and may negatively impact on their overall health. This is especially true for institutionalised residents. Despite this, there is a paucity of research on appetite and its associated factors among institutionalised residents, which signified the present study. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among elderly residents at long-term care facilities in the state of Selangor, Malaysia to ascertain their appetite status and its associated factors. Results: A total of 97 residents with mean age of 74.2±8.4 years old were recruited. They comprised 61.9% females and 38.1% males. More than 50% had poor appetite with early satiety. There were 63.0%, 82.4%, and 94.8% who had poor oral health, poor sleep quality, and depression, respectively. Ethnicity (OR=2.73; 95% CI=1.00-7.44; p=0.049) was the only factor that predicted poor appetite among older adults in long-term care facilities, with Malay residents having poorer appetite than their Chinese and Indian counterparts. Conclusion: The prevalence of poor appetite was high among residents staying at long-term care facilities in Selangor, Malaysia, especially among Malays. This issue deserves further studies to identify the specific underlying factors contributing to poor appetite among older adults from different ethnicities. Acknowledging the high prevalence of poor appetite among older adults and its possible unfavorable outcomes, appropriate nutrition interventions are therefore needed to address this issue among institutionalised elderly.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	appetite
AGROVOC Term:	mental depression
AGROVOC Term:	ethnic groups
AGROVOC Term:	cross-sectional analysis
AGROVOC Term:	elderly
AGROVOC Term:	prevalence of undernourishment
AGROVOC Term:	mental health
AGROVOC Term:	mental depression
AGROVOC Term:	satiety
AGROVOC Term:	quality of life
Geographical Term:	Malaysia
Uncontrolled Keywords:	appetite, depressive, institutionalised residents, older adults, sleep quality
Depositing User:	Ms. Azariah Hashim
Date Deposited:	22 Jul 2026 02:11
Last Modified:	22 Jul 2026 02:11
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/4041

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