ASSESSMENT OF DIETARY PATTERN AND HEALTH STATUS OF ELDERLY IN GWALLAMEJI AND LUSHI BAUCHI METROPOLIS

ABSTRACT Dietary patterns provide a comprehensive information about the food consumption habits within a population. Dietary patterns of every individual changes as we grow older. Dietary pattern of elderly is essential to the evaluation of their nutritional status. This study access the Dietary Pattern and Health Status of Elderly. The study employed a cross sectional method involving elderly people aged 50 years and above. Socio demographic information was obtained from elderly people through a questionnaire. Dietary information, Health Status, of Elderly were assessed using a questionnaire. Data on dietary intake were collected using Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Height of the study participants was also measured. A total of 300 elderly people had participated in the study. Most (65%) of the participants ate three meals per day. It was found that 61.7% of the elderly skipped breakfast every day. About 65.7% of elderly ate dinner the most while 23.0% did not eat dinner. The findings of the study reveal that most of the participants ate three main meals a day, with majority skipping either breakfast or dinner or eat in- between meals. Improving nutritional status of elderly should follow an integrated approach tackling both malnutrition at the same time considering behavioral approach.