Nutritional Survey of an Elderly Russian Population

During March and April 1992, CARE International, with epidemiological support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, conducted household surveys of pensioners 70 years of age or older in two Russian cities. The objectives of these studies were to assess survey feasibility, to report baseline nutritional data, and to determine if demographic identifiers on computerized government listings could be used to target nutritional aid toward the most needy among elderly people. Pensioners in each city were administered questionnaires regarding food consumption and financial and health status. We calculated scores for body mass index (BMI) and Nutritional Screening Initiative (NSI) Checklist (a tool for assessing the nutritional risk status of U.S. elderly). Median pension income was 410 roubles (about $4.00) per month. Forty-five percent of the participants had ≤500 roubles in savings, 64% reported dental problems, and 60% responded that they had medical problems that interfered with eating. Although the Russian BMI distribution was similar to that of a comparison U.S. elderly population, the Russian NSI score totals were unfavorably elevated. The mean NSI score of 8.8 is more than twice the reported U.S. mean. We found no single demographic identifier to predict the elderly subjects considered at greatest risk, according to NSI scoring. Longitudinal follow-up of these pensioners will be used for continuing assessment of the impact of economic restructuring in Russia upon elderly citizens.