Vol. 5, Issue 1, Part A (2023)

Objectives: In the present study an attempt was made to find out the influence of sex and age on nutritional status and handgrip strength. Beside that relationship between nutritional status and hand grip strength was also evaluated irrespective of age and sex. 
Methods: Two stage cluster sampling method was employed for the study. 493 elderly subjects having the age range 51 and above were selected from different places of West Bengal state, India. Height, weight, Body mass index, Nutritional status (24-hour recall method) and hand grip strength were taken from the selected elderly population by standardized methods.
Results: Hand grip strength found to be significantly higher in males than in females and so also it was significantly decreases with the advancement of age (p<0.001). Nutrient intake was significantly higher in males than in females (p<0.001, p<0.05). The present study stated that as the age increases the nutrient intake was decreases (p<0.001, p<0.05). There was a significant negative correlation between hand grip strength and age for both sexes (p<0.05). A positive correlation was observed between hand grip strength and nutritional status (p<0.05). After controlling for potential confounder (i.e., age), nutritional status was not remained a significant contributor for the variation of hand grip strength.
Conclusion: The present study concluded that sex and age had significant influence on nutritional status as well as hand grip strength. Poor nutritional status is associated with poor hand grip strength independent of sex but in dependence of age among the selected elderly population.