Relationship between anthropometric variables and mna between institutionalized elderly

A cross-sectional study of the descriptive type carried out in a Long Stay Institution for the Elderly located in the south of. Aiming to evaluate the nutritional status of institutionalized elderly and to correlate the anthropometric variables with the Mini Nutritional Assessment. The mean age of the sample was 79.5 years, with a predominance of females, with more than 1 year of institutionalization and singles. Greater values of Body Mass Index, arm girth, triceps skin fold thickness, and waist circumference were found among men and women in the younger age group. The prevalence of risk of malnutrition in the elderly was observed, independently of the time of institutionalization. There was a positive and significant correlation between the anthropometric variables with Mini Nutritional Assessment Short-form and Mini Nutritional Assessment. More studies are needed with the use of these variables and others, with instruments that have cutoff points directed to the elderly population, such as waist circumference, to better evaluate the institutionalized elderly, and to implement promotion measures of health.