NUTRIENT INTAKE AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF THE AGED IN LOW INCOME AREAS OF SOUTHWEST, NIGERIA

Objective: The study was carried out to assess the nutrient intake and nutritional status of free living and non-institutionalized elderly Nigerian men and women residing in low income areas. Design, Setting and Participants: The study was cross sectional involving 140 (58-99 years) apparently healthy elderly subjects randomly selected across four low income urban and rural areas of southwest Nigeria. Measurements: Data on socio economic characteristics and dietary intake (24-hour recall) were obtained with a structured questionnaire while anthropometric data were measured and nutritional status indices were classified using WHO standards. Nutrient intake data was compared to DRI while other data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 16.0. Results: Majority (84.3%) of the respondents were married and illiterate (80%). Most popular occupation were farming (47%) and trading (35.7%). Half of the respondents earn ≤ NGN1, 000 (≤US$6) and only 27% earn ≥ N6000 (US$37) monthly. The mean weight, height and arm circumference for men were 59.7 ± 6.50kg, 1.61±10.564m and 27.5 ± 9.24 cm respectively while that for women were 56.3 ± 5.72 kg, 1.57 ± 4.37m and 27.0 ± 5.22cm respectively. The mean daily energy (1805.2Kcal) and protein (23g) intake of women were significantly (p<0.05) lower than that of men (2044Kcal and 27.7g respectively). Intake of protein, calcium, riboflavin, niacin and vitamin C for both men and women were below DRI while iron, phosphorus, thiamine and energy intakes were adequate. Prevalence of underweight was low (2.9%) in this study while that overweight (pre obesity) was high (20% for men and 22.8% for women). Weight and BMI are significantly influenced by energy intake of the men (r=0.439, p=0.008); (r=0.352,p=0.038) and not women (r=0.229,p=0.186; r=0.320,p=0.06 respectively) while arm circumference was significantly (p<0.05) influenced by protein intake of both men and women (r=0.333,p=0.04 and r=0.404,p=0.02) respectively. Conclusion: This study has established a less than adequate intake of protein and some micronutrients among the elderly population as well as a high prevalence of overweight which coexists with underweight. There is need for a functional policy on the care of the aged in Nigeria in order to improve their nutrition, health and general wellbeing.