Body Ailments Dietary Pattern and Nutritional Status of Elderly in Ondo State, Nigeria.

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the various body ailments both communicable and non communicable diseases in conjunction with nutritional status of elderly in Ondo state, Nigeria. Methods: This was a random sampling of 400 elderly individuals (>60 years) living in Ondo State, Nigeria. By means of Open ended and structured questionnaire, data were collected on health, diet and Sociodemographic characteristics. There was anthropometric measurement to assess nutritional status. Results: Most of the elderly aged 60-69 years were married and have no formal education. Most of them were from monogamy and polygamy family structure. The body ailment reported consist of body pain (28%) respiratory related complications (14%) eye ailments (11%), hypertension (8%) diabetes (3%) and musculoskeletal problems (24%) such as rheumatism, cramps and arthritis. The prevalence of self reported hypertension was 26% less in male respondents than in female respondents. The dietary pattern revealed that elderly ate from major food groups with animal protein foods (74% ate daily) but low dairy products (7% ate daily). The food habit related significantly with body ailments such as skipping meals ((c=19.2; P<0.05) and eating three times a day ((c=8.4; P<0.05). The body Mass index classification showed more than half were in normal nutritional status (58%), but 20% underweight, 15% overweight and 7% were obese. The body ailments associated significantly with nutritional status (c=55.1; P<0.05).