Correlation of fiber intakes with incidence of constipation in the elderly

Abstract

Constipation becomes one of the diseases that are often suffered by the elderly, many factors that affect constipation one of which is fiber intake. The goal of the study was to find out the relationship of fiber intake with the incidence of constipation in the elderly (elderly). The research is conducted with a cross-sectional approach.  The number of samples in the study as many as 65 elderly, sampling using purposive sampling techniques. The majority of research results obtained fiber intake of fewer than 50 people (76.9%), constipation as many as 34 people (52.3%), adequate fiber intake as many as 15 people (23.1%), and not constipation as many as 31 people (47.7%).  The chi-square test result was p-value 0.010 (? = <0.05), suggesting there was a meaningful relationship between fiber intake and constipation events. The conclusion of a study of less fiber intake can result in constipation in the elderly. The implications of the research are shown so that the elderly can maintain fiber intake patterns and avoid the occurrence of constipation.