Main Article Content
Social Support, Environmental Condition and Nutritional Status of the Elderly in Ibadan
Abstract
Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the social supports, environmental condition and nutritional status of elderly respondents in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
Subject and Methods: The study involved one hundred and fifty (66 males and 84 females) elderly respondents randomly selected from their residences. A semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on the socio-economic characteristics, environmental and health conditions, and the social welfare/support available to the respondents. Anthropometric data such as weight, arm span/height and body mass index (BMI), (weight (kg)/ height (m)2) of the respondents were assessed. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Result: The age of the respondents ranged from 65-98 years. A high percentage (72.0%) had no formal education and 93.1% were unemployed, farmers or artisans, earning less than N5000 per month. The respondents depend mainly on their children for financial and social support. None of the respondents had access to water sewage system, 88.0% and 82.7% had no access to portable water and electricity respectively. Many (52.7%) complained of poor health due to joint pain, poor vision, constipation and hypertension. The main sources of their energy and protein intake were from roots and tubers, cereals and legumes respectively. Animal protein, fruits and vegetable were not taken regularly by 66.0%, 77.0% and 64.0% of the respondents respectively. The BMI of the respondents indicates that 48.0%, 7.3%, and 44.7% of the respondents had normal weight, underweight, and overweight or obesity respectively.
Conclusion: The social support, environmental condition and the nutritional status of the elderly were below expectation. The elderly should be encouraged by the nutritionists and dieticians to take fruits and vegetable regularly, while policy makers in Nigeria should render adequate welfare support to improve the standard of living and the quality of life of the elderly.
Key words: Social support, Environmental condition, Nutritional status, elderly, Ibadan.
Subject and Methods: The study involved one hundred and fifty (66 males and 84 females) elderly respondents randomly selected from their residences. A semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on the socio-economic characteristics, environmental and health conditions, and the social welfare/support available to the respondents. Anthropometric data such as weight, arm span/height and body mass index (BMI), (weight (kg)/ height (m)2) of the respondents were assessed. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Result: The age of the respondents ranged from 65-98 years. A high percentage (72.0%) had no formal education and 93.1% were unemployed, farmers or artisans, earning less than N5000 per month. The respondents depend mainly on their children for financial and social support. None of the respondents had access to water sewage system, 88.0% and 82.7% had no access to portable water and electricity respectively. Many (52.7%) complained of poor health due to joint pain, poor vision, constipation and hypertension. The main sources of their energy and protein intake were from roots and tubers, cereals and legumes respectively. Animal protein, fruits and vegetable were not taken regularly by 66.0%, 77.0% and 64.0% of the respondents respectively. The BMI of the respondents indicates that 48.0%, 7.3%, and 44.7% of the respondents had normal weight, underweight, and overweight or obesity respectively.
Conclusion: The social support, environmental condition and the nutritional status of the elderly were below expectation. The elderly should be encouraged by the nutritionists and dieticians to take fruits and vegetable regularly, while policy makers in Nigeria should render adequate welfare support to improve the standard of living and the quality of life of the elderly.
Key words: Social support, Environmental condition, Nutritional status, elderly, Ibadan.
