Affiliation:
1. Institute of Nursing Science Medical University of Graz Graz Austria
2. Department of Health Services Research, Care and Public Health Research Institute Maastricht University Maastricht The Netherlands
3. Unit of Injury, Inflammation and Recovery Sciences, School of Medicine University of Nottingham Derby UK
4. East Midlands Academic Health Sciences Network Patient Safety Collaborative Nottingham UK
5. NIHR Applied Research Collaboration – East Midlands (ARC‐EM) Nottingham UK
Abstract
AbstractBackgroundThe prevalence of obesity has risen in recent decades and reached epidemic proportions worldwide. The proportion of those living with obesity is also increasing in nursing homes. This could impact the nursing care required, equipment and facilities provided, and morbidity in these settings. Limited evidence exists on clinical consequences of obesity in nursing home residents and their care.ObjectiveTherefore, the aim was to examine the rate and associated factors of obesity (BMI ≥30; class I (BMI 30.0–34.9 kg/m2), class II (BMI 35.0–39.9 kg/m2), and class III (BMI >40.0 kg/m2)) amongst older nursing home residents in European countries.MethodsWe analysed data from 21,836 people who reside in nursing homes in Austria, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. They participated in the “International Prevalence Measurement of Care Quality”, a cross sectional study between 2016 and 2019, where trained nurses interviewed the residents, reviewed care records, and conducted clinical examinations. A tested and standardised questionnaire comprised questions on demographic data, measured BMI, medical diagnosis according to ICD‐10, and care dependency. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were performed.ResultsObesity rates were highest in Austria (17.1%) and lowest in the UK (13.0%) (p = .006). Residents with obesity were younger and less likely to be care dependent or living with dementia and had more often diabetes mellitus, endocrine, metabolic, and skin diseases compared to residents without obesity (p < .05). Most obese residents had obesity class I. Therefore, two subgroups were built (class I vs. class II + III). Residents with obesity class II + III were more frequently care dependent for mobility, getting dressed and undressed, and personal hygiene compared to residents with class I (p < .05).ConclusionsThis study identified several factors that are associated with obesity amongst older nursing home residents in selected European countries.Implications for practiceThe division into obesity classes is important for planning targeted care according to the individual needs of nursing home residents.