ABSTRACT

Nutritional status is a measurement of the extent to which an individual's physiologic need for nutrients is being met. This study assessed the nutritional status and environmental conditions of elderly in Ikwuano L.G.A of Abia State. The study aimed to determine socio-economic and demographic characteristics of the selected elders in Ikwuano Local Government Area ofAbia State to determine the anthropometric status of the elderly in the Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, to evaluate the environmental condition that affects the elderly in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State. A total of 251 elders in Ikwuano L.G.A were selected using simple random sampling technique. A well-structured validated questionnaire was used to determine their socio-economic and demographic characteristics, nutritional status and the environmental condition that affects the elderly in Ikwuano L.G.A of Abia State. Data from the weight and height, waist circumference and hip circumference of the respondents was used to derive the BMI and Waist-Hip Ratio. Data gathered were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 23. The result shows that more than half (60.2%) of the elderly were female, majority (25.1%) ofthe elderly were within the age bracket of 55-59 years. Most (32.9 %) of the households had large family size greater than 7 with the mean size of 6.20 ± 2.01. Distribution on educational status indicates that majority (50.9%) ofthe respondents’ household heads had achieved tertiary education while 4.9% had no formal education. Only 5.3 % of the household heads were farmers while 82 (32.8%) were teachers. More than half (87.6%) of the respondents were of Igbo tribe. 39.4% ofthe elderly persons were Widow/ Widower. The nutritional status ofthe elderly in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia Most (27.9%) of the respondents ate cold breakfast. More than half(75.3%) ofthe elderly people consumes vitamins. Some (25.5%) of the respondents attested that they remove all visible fat before eating. 30.3% of the elderly people use regular margarine for frying at home. About 22.7% ofthe respondents reported that they use vegetable oil for baking at home. Majority (46.2%) of the respondents accepted that they eat fired food 1-3 times per week. More than half(63.7%) ofthe elders like vegetables. Majority ofthe elders did not follow any special diet. More (55.8%) than half ofthe respondents said that there were seriously thinking about eating more servings of fruits and vegetables starting sometimes in the next six months. The environmental condition that affects the elderly in Ikwuano Majority (55.4%) of the elderly reported that they do not have access to electricity. Also, about 15% ofthe elderly were malnourished and 55% were at risk according to the MNA scoring. The study concludes that an evaluation of nutritional status is important for the creation of a database to assist with the initiation of important programs and formulation of policies. Further studies are needed to generate a database for effective policy making and planning for interventions, in this study. The study therefore recommends that efforts should be initiated to help the elderly to adopt healthy life style practices to maintain or improve their functional status.