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Nutrition and health in an adult urban homeless population in Germany

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2007

Kristina Langnäse  and
Manfred J Müller
Kristina Langnäse
Affiliation:
Institut für Humanernährung und Lebensmittelkunde, Christian Albrechts Universität, Düsternbrooker Weg 17, D-24105 Kiel, Germany
Manfred J Müller*
Affiliation:
Institut für Humanernährung und Lebensmittelkunde, Christian Albrechts Universität, Düsternbrooker Weg 17, D-24105 Kiel, Germany
*
*Corresponding author: Email mmüllernutrfoodsc@unikiel.de
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Abstract

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Objective:

To assess the association between nutrition and health in an adult urban homeless population.

Design:

Cross-sectional – nutritional state (body mass index (BMI), triceps skinfold (TSF), upper arm circumference), dietary habits (food frequency), socio-demographic data and self-stated diseases were assessed.

Setting:

Four sites for homeless people in Kiel and Hamburg, Germany.

Subjects:

Sample of 75 homeless people (60 males, 15 females) aged 19–62 years.

Results:

A lack of food was not found in the majority of the homeless. Seventy-six per cent of the study population showed a normal dietary pattern. Critical food groups were fresh fruit and vegetables, rice and noodles. However, 52 or 29% of the homeless were malnourished (i.e. they were below the 25th or 5th percentile of arm muscle area). In addition, 22.7% of the homeless were obese (i.e. BMI>30 kg m−2 and/or TSF>90th percentile). Almost two-thirds of the population suffered from at least one chronic disease (prevalence of nutrition-related disorders 33.3%, gastrointestinal disorders 32.0%, dental diseases 22.7%, psychiatric disorders 18.7%, wasting diseases 6.7%). Smoking (prevalence rate 82%), drinking alcohol (51%) and drug abuse (20%) were frequent among homeless people. Food intake was not related to nutritional state, the prevalence of chronic diseases or addiction habits. By contrast, a poor nutritional state was associated with drug abuse and the prevalence of wasting diseases.

Conclusion:

Prevention of nutritional problems should be directed to health-related problems such as the prevention or treatment of chronic diseases and addiction habits.

Keywords

NutritionNutritional stateDiseasesSmoking habitsAlcohol and drug abuse
Type
Research Article
Information
Public Health Nutrition , Volume 4 , Issue 3 , June 2001 , pp. 805 - 811
Copyright
Copyright © CABI Publishing 2001

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