Rural Indian adults 60+: nutrition, quality of life and comorbidities in a cross-sectional study
In a cross-sectional survey of 380 rural adults aged 60 and over in Odisha, India, most were at risk of malnutrition and most had at least one comorbidity; the study reports associations, not causes. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
The study was a community-based cross-sectional survey of 380 rural adults aged 60 and over in the field practice area of a tertiary care hospital in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. [1]
About 4.2% were malnourished and 69.7% were at risk of malnutrition; 82.6% had at least one comorbidity. [1]
Increasing age, female sex and financial dependency were significantly associated with poor nutritional status and lower quality of life. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Community-based cross-sectional study (abstract)
- Population / context
- 380 rural adults aged 60 years and above in the field practice area of a tertiary care hospital in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, Eastern India.
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- October 5, 2026
380 rural adults 60+ in Odisha assessed once
This community-based cross-sectional study took place in the rural field practice area of a tertiary care hospital in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, Eastern India. It included 380 adults aged 60 years and above; mean age was 71.23 ± 7.60 years and 65.8% were male. Nutrition was measured with the Mini Nutritional Assessment, quality of life with the WHO Quality of Life-BREF, and comorbidities with the Self-Administered Comorbidity Questionnaire. Because each person was assessed at one point in time, the study can describe associations among these factors but cannot show what caused what.
Supporting source [1]
Malnutrition risk and comorbidities common in this group
About 4.2% (16 participants) were malnourished and 69.7% (265) were at risk of malnutrition. In the quality-of-life scores, the environmental domain was highest (27 ± 5) and the social relationship domain lowest (8 ± 2). Osteoarthritis (64.7%), hypertension (32.6%) and diabetes (24.2%) were the most common comorbidities, and 82.6% had at least one comorbidity. Increasing age, female sex and financial dependency were significantly associated with poor nutritional status and lower quality of life. These are statistical associations in this sample, not proof of cause.
Supporting source [1]
Abstract-only scope of this rural older-adult survey
The available information comes from the abstract; the full text was not reviewed. The abstract reports the design, sample size, tools and main results, but not details such as how participants were selected, response rates or how the questionnaires were administered. The authors conclude that malnutrition, comorbidities and poor quality of life are interrelated challenges and call for early identification and integrated interventions; the cross-sectional design does not establish that such interventions would work.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. The cross-sectional design shows associations, not causes, and the abstract does not report sampling details, response rates or questionnaire administration.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Nayak R, Nayak S, Panda PS, Debata I, Priyadarshini S. · europepmc.org · October 5, 2026