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.
-- (2024). Nutritional Status And Environmental Conditions Of Elderly In Ikunano L.G.A Of Abia State:- Odoemena Theresa U. Repository.mouau.edu.ng: Retrieved Dec 09, 2024, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/nutritional-status-and-environmental-conditions-of-elderly-in-ikunano-lga-of-abia-state-odoemena-theresa-u-7-2
--. "Nutritional Status And Environmental Conditions Of Elderly In Ikunano L.G.A Of Abia State:- Odoemena Theresa U" Repository.mouau.edu.ng. Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 23 Oct. 2024, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/nutritional-status-and-environmental-conditions-of-elderly-in-ikunano-lga-of-abia-state-odoemena-theresa-u-7-2. Accessed 09 Dec. 2024.
--. "Nutritional Status And Environmental Conditions Of Elderly In Ikunano L.G.A Of Abia State:- Odoemena Theresa U". Repository.mouau.edu.ng, Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 23 Oct. 2024. Web. 09 Dec. 2024. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/nutritional-status-and-environmental-conditions-of-elderly-in-ikunano-lga-of-abia-state-odoemena-theresa-u-7-2 >.
--. "Nutritional Status And Environmental Conditions Of Elderly In Ikunano L.G.A Of Abia State:- Odoemena Theresa U" Repository.mouau.edu.ng (2024). Accessed 09 Dec. 2024. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/nutritional-status-and-environmental-conditions-of-elderly-in-ikunano-lga-of-abia-state-odoemena-theresa-u-7-2