Shiferaw,Solomon(MD, MPH. PhD)Desalegn,Yakob(MD, MPH)Bekele,Obsa Abebe2026-06-222026-06-222025-06https://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/8532Background: The likelihood of malnutrition grows as individuals age and as their need for care becomes more intensive. Approximately 40% of fatalities in developing nations are associated with chronic energy deficiency. However, studies on chronic energy deficiency(CED) which is one form of nutritional deficiency and an important public health problem are quite limited in Ethiopia, which makes it difficult to identify their nutritional need. Objectives: This study aimed to assess chronic energy deficiency and its predictors among the population of older adults (defined as 50 years and above) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods: A Community based cross-sectional study was conducted among older adults 50 years and above from February 12-22, 2025. Data from 635 individuals were collected through interviewer-administered questionnaires using the open-source mobile based Kobo toolbox. Data were downloaded, merged and cleaned on Excel 2019 and then exported to SPSS V27. A bi-variable and multivariable logistic regression model was used to determine associations between the outcome variable and its predictors. Result: A total of 635 older adults were interviewed with mean age of the participants was 64.7 (50 to 91 years) years with higher percentage of males (58.4%) represented. The study revealed that prevalence of chronic energy deficiency (CED) in older adult population was 10.1% (CI:7.9%-12.6%).Respondents in the age between 50 and 65 [AOR=3.9,95% CI:(1.6,9.3)], those having infrequent meal [AOR=3.9,95% CI: (1.7,8.8)],irregular meal pattern [AOR=2.4,95% CI:( 1.3,4.6)],insomnia [AOR=3.1,95% CI:(1.5,6.6)], Inadequate or poor dietary diversity [AOR=2.8, 95% CI:(1.5,5.3)] and household with food insecurity [AOR=6.2,95% CI (3.2,12.2)] were significantly more likely to have CED compared to their counterparts. Additionally, the study revealed that 1.4% of population were mis-classified on their CED status whenever physical activity level of the population was not considered for classification of chronic energy deficiency Conclusion: The prevalence of chronic energy deficiency was substantial in the study area. It was significantly associated with age between 50 and 65, poor dietary diversity score, infrequent meal and irregular meal pattern, insomnia and household food insecurity at 95% CL and P value<0.05. Therefore, efforts to combat CED should focus on supporting the most vulnerable groups indentified in this study. Raising awareness within communities on meal frequency and meal pattern is also crucial.en-USChronic Energy DeficiencyBody mass IndexPhysical Activity LevelThesis