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Objectives: To investigate the association between domains of nutrition risk with hospitalisations and mortality for New Zealand Māori and non-Māori in advanced age., Methods: Within LiLACS NZ, 256 Māori and 399 non-Māori octogenarians were assessed for nutrition risk using the Seniors in the Community: Risk Evaluation for Eating and Nutrition (SCREEN II) questionnaire according to three domains of risk. Sociodemographic and health characteristics were established. Five years from inception, survival analyses examined associations between nutrition risk from the three domains of SCREEN II with all-cause hospital admissions and mortality., Results: For Māori but not non-Māori, lower nutrition risk in the Dietary Intake domain was associated with reduced hospitalisations and mortality (Hazard Ratios [HR] [95%CI] 0.97 [0.95-0.99], p=0.009 and 0.91 [0.86-0.98], p=0.005, respectively). The 'Factors Affecting Intake' domain was associated with mortality (HR, [95%CI] 0.94 [0.89-1.00], p=0.048), adjusted for age, gender, socioeconomic deprivation, education, previous hospital admissions, comorbidities and activities of daily living., Conclusion: Improved dietary adequacy may reduce poor outcomes for older Māori. Implications for public health: Nutrition risk among older Māori is identifiable and treatable. Effort is needed to engage relevant community and whānau (family) support to ensure older Māori have food security and cultural food practices are met., (© 2018 The Authors.)

Objectives: To establish the prevalence of high nutrition risk and associated health and social risk factors for New Zealand Māori and non-Māori in advanced age., Design: A cross sectional analysis of inception cohorts to LiLACS NZ., Setting: Bay of Plenty and Lakes region of the North Island, New Zealand., Participants: 255 Māori and 400 non- Māori octogenarians., Measurements: Nutrition risk was assessed using a validated questionnaire Seniors in the Community: Risk Evaluation for Eating and Nutrition (SCREEN II). Demographic, social, physical and health characteristics were established using an interviewer administered questionnaire. Health related quality of life (HRQOL) was assessed with the SF-12, depressive symptoms using the GDS-15., Results: Half (49%) of Māori and 38% of non-Māori participants were at high nutrition risk (SCREEN II score <49). Independent risk factors were for Māori younger age (p=0.04), lower education (p=0.03), living alone (p<0.001), depressive symptoms (p=0.01). For non- Māori high nutrition risk was associated with female gender (p=0.005), living alone (p=0.002), a lower physical health related quality of life (p=0.02) and depressive symptoms (p=0.002)., Conclusion: Traditional risk factors apply to both Māori and non-Māori whilst education as indicative of low socioeconomic status is an additional risk factor for Māori. High nutrition risk impacts health related quality of life for non-Māori. Interventions which socially facilitate eating are especially important for women and for Māori to maintain cultural practices and could be initiated by routine screening.

Objectives: To identify factors associated with nutrition risk among a purposive sample of those in advanced aged., Design: A cross sectional feasibility study., Setting: Three North Island locations in New Zealand., Participants: One hundred and eight community-living residents aged 75- 85 years., Measurements: Nutrition risk was assessed using a validated questionnaire, Seniors in the Community: Risk Evaluation for Eating and Nutrition, Version II (SCREEN II). A Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) was used to determine level of physical activity. Markers of body composition, grip strength and fasting blood samples were collected., Results: Fifty-two percent of participants were at high nutrition risk (SCREEN II score < 50; range 29-58; out of maximum score 64). The mean score for SCREEN II was higher for older people who lived with others (50.3 ± 5.1) compared to those who lived alone (46.4 ± 5.8) p=0.001. The SCREEN II score was positively correlated with the total PASE score r= 0.20 (p=0.042), grip strength r=0.20 (p=0.041), and muscle mass percentage r=0.31 (p=0.004). Lower levels of haemoglobin, serum zinc and physical activity were associated with higher nutrition risk., Conclusion: Half the participants were at high nutrition risk. They tended to be widowed or live alone and had lower levels of haemoglobin and serum zinc. Those at lower nutrition risk had greater muscle mass and strength, lower body fat, consumed alcohol more frequently and engaged in more physical activity. Strategies which encourage older people to eat meals and be physically active with others may assist to improve their health.