Dietary Pattern and Biochemical Status of the Elderly in Ondo State, Nigeria

Aims:

(i) To determine the dietary pattern of the elderly in Ondo State, Nigeria;

(ii) To determine the biochemical status of the respondents; and

(iii) To determine the correlation between dietary pattern and blood levels of Vitamins A, C, D, E, calcium, phosphorus and selenium.

Study Design: A descriptive, cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Six Local Government Areas in Ondo State.

Methodology: Two hundred elderly men and two hundred elderly women were selected from six of the eighteen Local Government Areas (two from each of the three senatorial zones) in the State. Data was collected on dietary pattern and frequency of consumption of food items from the various food groups. We measured systolic and diastolic blood pressure of five randomly selected elderly patients attending the government hospital in each Local Government Area. Blood samples were obtained from the 30 elders and analyzed for Vitamins A, C, D, E, calcium, phosphorus and selenium contents. Food frequency scores were derived from consumption data and arranged into quartiles.

Results: Most of the subjects (77%) ate three meals daily. Animal proteins were consumed daily by 73.8% while 7.3% and 6.8% consumed vitamin A rich foods and dairy products respectively. Those with minimum of secondary education were 2.5 times (95% CI: 1.4 to 4.5) and 28.0 times (95% CI: 2.9 to 246.6) more likely to have upper half dietary pattern scores in fruits consumption and dairy products consumption.

Mean Selenium serum level was lower than normal in all elders while Vitamin E and Calcium serum levels were lower than normal in female elders only.

Conclusion: The elderly in Ondo State were of low nutrition and socio-economic status. It was suggested that health care institutions should promote dietary plans such as provision of vitamin and mineral supplements and education for them at the community level.