ABSTRACT

The study evaluated the anthropometric measurement and weighed food intake of the elderly males and females in Mbieri community of Mbaitoli Local Government Area of lmo state to determine the nutritional status of the elderly. One hundred and twenty elderly males and females, aged 60 and above were met in their homes, meeting sites and Churches. Questionnaires were used to collect information on personal data, dietary pattern and, health status. Anthropometric measurement were taken and weighed food intake was used to collect data on nutrient intake which was compared with FNB, NRC,NAS, 1989 (Recommended dietary allowance). The elderly males and females met the RDAs for energy protein and iron but were not able to meet the recommendation for calcium, vitamin A, vitamin c, thiamin and Riboflavin. It was found that there was no significant difference in the nutrient intake of elderly males and females. The respective population of the elderly males and females were 17 and 26 in age group 60-65, 16 and 13 in age group 66-70, 11 and 11 in age group 7 1-75, 10 and 5 in age group 76-80 and 3 and 8 in age group 81 and above. The mean of the elderly males triceps (20.59 in age group 60-65, 19.56 in age group 66-70, 20.73 in age group 7 1-75, 19.10 in age group 76-80 and 16 in age group 81 and above) were normal in all the age ranges. While the mean of the females (23.65 in age group 60-65, 23.62 in age group 66- 70, 24.27 in age group 7 1-75, 20.60 in age group 76-80 and 14.88 in age group 81 and above) were depleted. The mean of the sub scapular (14.25 and 14.27 in age group 60-65, 10.31 and 16.23 in age group 66-70, 11.28 and 14.00 in age group 71-75, 10.60 and 14.60 in age group 76-80, 7.67 and 9.88 in 81 and above), height (161.47 and 15 8.38 in age group 60-65, 158.75 and 156.46 in age group 66-70, 160.36 and 151.36 in age group 71- 75, 161.60 and 156.20 in age group 76-80, 164.33cm and 152.13cm in age group 81 and above), weight (65.4 and 59.96 in age group 60-65, 59.88 ad 61.88 in age group 66-70, 60.91 and 51.18 in age range 71-75, 57.0and 53.6 in age group 76-80, 61.00 and 41.38 in age group 81 and above) of both elderly males and females respectively were not up to xii the reference value. The body fat of the females (21.69 kg in age group 60-65, 23.12kg in age 66-70, 16.81 in age group 71-75, 18.10kg in age group 76-80, 11.7kg in age group 81 and above) were greater than the body fat of the males( 13.15kg in age group 60- 65,13.70kg in age group 66-70,13.09kg in age group 71-75,11.23kg in age group76- 80,10.10kg in age group 81 and above)in each age range also the lean body mass of the females (30.55kg in age group 60-65, 38.71kg in age group 66-70, 33.19kg in age group 7 1-75, 35.52 in age group 76-80, 29.68kg in age group 81 and above) were less than the mean of the lean body mass of males (52.97kg in age group 60-65, 45.78 in age group 66-70, 47.76kg in age group 71-75, 45kg in age group 76-80, 50.90kg in age group 71- 75, 45kg in age group 76-80, 50.90kg in age group (81 and above) of the age ranges.