Investigating the nutritional quality of the diet of the elderly in Jasikan district

Abstract

The nutritional needs of elderly people in society appears to be ignored or not sufficiently prioritized. This study was conducted in Jasikan community. It investigated the diet quality of the elderly. The research methods used for the study were survey, and observation. The study employed the cross-sectional design. Ninety eight (98) elderly people were sampled via multistage sampling technique for the study. Questionnaire with Crobanch’s alpha 0.775, and observation checklist were used as research instruments to collect data. The quantitative data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 software. The study revealed that breakfast, snack, lunch and supper meals eaten by the elderly in Jasikan were relatively large in quantity or portion size but poor in protein, vitamin and mineral contents. The poor diet quality of the elderly was linked to food insecurity and low income levels. It was evidenced that Hypertension, type 2 diabetes and constipation were the most prevalent nutritional disorders among the elderly in Jasikan community The study identified dietary and lifestyle modification strategies for improving the diet quality of the elderly. In this regard, the study recommended that caretakers and families of the elderly in Jasikan should always provide adequate food to the elderly people. They should improve the feeding practices and nutrient content of foods given to elderly by feeding them with the right amount of carbohydrate, protein, and vitamin-giving foods three times or more in a day and also give them adequate fresh fruits, vegetable and water.