Malnutrition, in all its forms, is a global problem
and continues to be one of the greatest challenges facing
our generation. ‘MUST’ is a five-step screening tool to
identify adults, who are malnourished, at risk of
malnutrition (undernutrition), or obese.
Purpose:
Evaluation of BMI, malnutrition and percentage of
weight loss in the city of Vlora, Albania.
Methodology:
This is an exploratory study, carried out in the city
of Vlora during May 20 - June 20, 2020, using the
‘MUST’ since data such as: height, weight and weight
before 3-6 months, was obtained through the
AFQPHALS Survey (Adult Food Quality and Physical
Activity Level Survey), which was distributed online on
social networks during May 17- 27, 2020 and completed
by 545 adult subjects 18 years and older, including some
Albanian cities with the predominance of the city of
Vlora.
Results & conclusions:
Vlora constitute 55% part of the study sample;
women 75%; with higher education 45% and master's
degree 29%; full-time employees 38% and students
35%; 24% overweight, 9% obesity and 8%
underweight; 73% has low risk, 16% has medium risk
and 11% has high risk for malnutrition; 73% has not
lost weight (0%). The high risk for malnutrition
prevails in gender female, at higher education and
master's level in students and full-time employees.
Recommendations:
Recognition and use of the Malnutrition Universal
Screening Tool by the community, that is a free tool,
easy and accessible for all to know and reduce
malnutrition.
Keywords : MUST, malnutrition, self- screening, Vlora, Albania.