Socioeconomic Factors Influencing Food Security And Nutritional Well Being Of The Elderly In Enugu South:- Eze, Lawrita O

ABSTRACT This study investigated the socioeconomic factors influencing food security and nutritional well-being ofthe elderly in Enugu South, Nigeria. A total of257 elderly respondents were assessed using structured questionnaires and anthropometric measurement of mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC). The socio-demographic characteristics examined included age, sex, marital status, educational level, religion, place of residence, household composition, and housing type. Results showed weak and statistically insignificant correlations between MUAC and socioeconomic factors such as age (r = -0.028, p = 0.652), sex (r = 0.019, p = 0.761), marital status (r = 0.039, p = 0.530), educational level (r = 0.023, p = 0.713), religion (r = 0.009, p = 0.892), place ofresidence (r = 0.094, p = 0.133), household size (r = -0.058, p = 0.360), housing type (r = 0.010, p = 0.878), and living arrangement (r = -0.011, p = 0.865). These findings indicate that, within this population, socioeconomic status was not strongly predictive of nutritional status as measured by MUAC, though trends suggested that those living in urban areas and smaller households had slightly better outcomes. The study concludes that while socioeconomic variables did not show significant direct associations with nutritional status, they remain critical contextual factors affecting food access, dietary quality, and overall well-being of the elderly. Interventions should therefore focus on strengthening social support systems, improving access to affordable and diverse food, and integrating nutrition education with elderly care services in Enugu South.