Factors associated with nutrition risk in older Maori: a cross sectional study

AIM: To investigate factors associated with nutrition risk among older Maori. METHOD: Maori aged 75-79 years living in the Northland and Bay of Plenty regions of New Zealand were assessed for nutrition risk using the validated screening tool 'Seniors in the Community: Risk Evaluation for Eating and Nutrition' (SCREENII). Demographic, physical and sociocultural data were collected. RESULTS: Of the 67 participants, two thirds (63%) were identified to be at high-risk for malnutrition. More than half (56%) used te reo Maori (Maori language) for everyday conversation and those who rated language and culture as moderately important to wellbeing were at lower nutrition risk. Controlling for age, gender and living arrangements, participants who rated traditional foods as important, were able to access them, had a higher waist-to-hip ratio and an absence of depressive symptoms, were at lower nutrition risk. CONCLUSIONS: Cultural factors associated with nutrition risk are related to an indigenous view of health. Participants with a higher waist-to-hip ratio were at lower nutrition risk and this may be a protective factor for older Maori. Interventions to improve the nutrition status of older Maori need to be based on a holistic Maori worldview and acknowledge the importance of traditional Maori foods.