Table 1 Correlation between total MNA score and eighteen items of MNA among elderly living in Hawassa City, 2012 (n = 548)

Changes in dietary intake in past 3 months

<0.001

Weight loss in past 3 months

<0.001

Mobility

<0.001

Psychological stress or acute disease in past 3 months

<0.001

Dementia

<0.001

BMI

<0.001

Lives independently

0.018

More than 3 prescription drugs per day

<0.001

Pressure sores

<0.001

Number of full meals per day

<0.001

Protein intake

<0.001

Fruits or vegetables intake

<0.001

Fluid intake

<0.001

Mode of feeding

0.013

Self-perceived nutritional status

<0.001

Self-perceived health status

<0.001

Mid-arm circumference

<0.001

Calf circumference

<0.001