Factors Associated with Malnutrition Among Bedridden Older Adults in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand: A Secondary Cross-Sectional Analysis

Background/Objectives: Malnutrition is a major concern among bedridden older adults because functional limitations and dependence on others may compromise adequate nutritional intake. This study aimed to identify factors associated with malnutrition among bedridden older adults in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand.

Methods

This cross-sectional analytical study used secondary data from 210 bedridden older adults. Nutritional status was assessed using the 18-item Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA®). Because only two participants had normal nutritional status, they were excluded from the regression analysis due to the insufficient number of observations in this category. The analytical sample therefore comprised 208 participants, and nutritional status was analyzed as a binary outcome: at risk of malnutrition or malnutrition. Demographic, functional, anthropometric, oral health, and dietary factors were examined. Group differences were assessed using the chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test for categorical variables and the Mann–Whitney U test for continuous variables. Multivariable binary logistic regression was used to identify factors independently associated with malnutrition.