Dietary Intake, Anthropometric Characteristics and Clinical Assessment of Elderly in Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was designed to assess the nutrition status of the elderly in Ondo State Nigeria. Random sampling techniques were used to select 1155 elderly for this study. Socio-demographic characteristics, clinical assessment, food consumption pattern, anthropometric measurements of the elderly were determined. Data entry and analysis were done with the use of scientific instruments. This involved the SPSS version 17. It detailed the analytical tools, including frequencies, percentage and correlations. The result showed that Intake of nutrients by the elderly was shown to be inadequate. Protein containing foods intake was low, as 4% of the elderly took milk daily while 8.3% and 4% took organ meat and fleshy foods daily. Anthropometric assessment as indicated by MUAMA mean and standard deviation (23.80±54.203, 25.50±62.001 for male and female respectively) and MUAFA mean and standard deviation (12.00±23.063, 14.90±48.105 for male and female respectively) showed that the females’ elderly were having normal skin fold thickness as well as BMI but the males’ MUAMA and MUAFA indicated wasting. The clinical assessment tool for the elderly revealed various form of sign and symptoms of malnutrition. Night blindness was 61.03%, angular stomatitis was 7.1%, and joint pains were 41.03% and 7.01 % had dementia. The result showed the correlation between some variables and nutritional status of the elderly. Age and BMI (r=-0.26, p=0.05); socio-economic status and milk intake (r=0.46, p=0.05); protein intake and muscle wasting (r=0.46, p=0.05); fruits and vegetable intake and constipation (r=0.52, p=0.05). The study concluded that micro-nutrient deficiency was prevalent among the elderly studied. Therefore recommended that, government intervention is needed to improve the quality of life of the elderly. Also, there should be organized nutrition education among the elderly on adequate diet. Keywords: Dietary Intake; Anthropometric Characteristics; Clinical Assessment; Elderly Background