Environmental Influence and Health Status of Elderly

The study was conducted in order to explore and compare the health status of the elderly living in two different environmental setups. Height, weight, heart rate and blood pressure were measured in 259 subjects ranging from 60-85 years. This process includes 120 elderly from old age homes and 139 elderly living with their families. Body mass index was calculated statistically. Nutritional status was assessed using the BMI guidelines of WHO. Significant differences were found in weight, heart rate, blood pressure and BMI between most of the age groups of old age homes and females living with families. Percentage of overweight/obesity was found to be relatively higher among females living with families as compared to those living in old age homes. The blood pressure showed positive and significant association [p<0.01] with the BMI. The cardiovascular functions [p<0.001] and nutritional status [p<0.05] were found to be significantly influenced by the environmental set up.