Nutritional Vulnerability of Older Persons Living in Urban Areas of Lake Victoria Basin in East Africa: A Cross Sectional Survey

The aim of this study was to (1) determine the prevalence of malnutrition and (2) investigate factors affecting nutritional status of older persons living in urban areas of Lake Victoria Basin. The prevalence of underweight was 16.5%, with men (24.1%) being significantly more likely to be underweigh...

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Published inJournal of nutrition in gerontology and geriatrics Vol. 31; no. 1; pp. 86 - 96
Main Authors Cheserek, Maureen J, Waudo, Judith N, Tuitoek, Prisca J, Msuya, John M, Kikafunda, Joyce K
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States Taylor & Francis Group 2012
Subjects
Africa
African Continental Ancestry Group
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Body Mass Index
calcium
Cities
Cross-Sectional Studies
Diet
eating habits
elderly
Energy Intake
Female
Humans
Interviews as Topic
iron
Lakes
Male
malnutrition
Malnutrition - epidemiology
men
Micronutrients - administration & dosage
Middle Aged
Nutrition Surveys
Nutritional Status
Obesity - epidemiology
overweight
protein intake
risk factors
Socioeconomic Factors
surveys
Surveys and Questionnaires
underweight
urban areas
vitamin A
women
zinc
Africa
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Summary:The aim of this study was to (1) determine the prevalence of malnutrition and (2) investigate factors affecting nutritional status of older persons living in urban areas of Lake Victoria Basin. The prevalence of underweight was 16.5%, with men (24.1%) being significantly more likely to be underweight (P < 0.05) than women (12.3%). Overall, 61.2% had normal body mass indices, 13.2% were overweight, and 9.1% were obese. Energy intake was low (1596.3–1630.5 Kcal), with only 22% and 38% of men and women, respectively, meeting their daily requirements. Protein intake was adequate in more than half of men and women. Vitamin A, iron, and zinc intakes were moderate, while calcium intake was low (P < 0.05). Inadequate food access, poor health, living arrangements, and poor eating patterns were the main nutritional risk factors. There is a need to plan nutrition programs that can improve living conditions, health, and nutritional status of older adults in these urban areas of the Lake Victoria Basin.
Bibliography:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21551197.2012.647562
ISSN:2155-1200
2155-1200
DOI:10.1080/21551197.2012.647562