NUTRITIONAL STATUS, DIETARY PRACTICES AND MORBIDITY PROFILE OF ELDERLY PATIENT AT SPECIALIST HOSPITAL, BAUCHI

ABSTRACT This study assessed the nutritional status, dietary practices, and morbidity profile of elderly patients attending Specialist Hospital, Bauchi using a hospital-based cross-sectional descriptive design involving 200 respondents aged 50 years and above. The study aimed to examine socio-demographic characteristics, determine anthropometric status using body mass index (BMI), identify signs of malnutrition, assess dietary habits, and relate these findings to morbidity patterns among the elderly. Data were collected through a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and anthropometric measurements, and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings showed that most respondents (60%) were aged 50–65 years, with females (55.5%) slightly outnumbering males (44.5%). A large proportion were married (82.5%), had secondary education or higher, and were unemployed (59.5%), while the majority lived with family members (88.0%), indicating strong household support systems. Anthropometric assessment revealed that 58.0% of respondents had normal BMI, while 28.5% were overweight and 12.0% obese, suggesting a dual burden of malnutrition dominated by overnutrition. Only 1.5% were underweight. Malnutrition-related signs were present, with 46% reporting moderate fatigue, 24% high fatigue, and 24% muscle weakness, although hair loss and skin problems were relatively low. Dietary practices showed that more than half (54%) consumed three meals daily, with moderate intake of fruits, vegetables, and protein, commonly two servings per day. However, fast food consumption was notable, with over two-thirds consuming it at least once daily. In conclusion, while most elderly patients had normal nutritional status, overweight, obesity, fatigue, and unhealthy dietary patterns were evident, highlighting the need for routine nutritional screening, targeted nutrition education, promotion of healthy diets rich in fruits and vegetables, reduced fast-food intake, and strengthened family and social support systems to improve health outcomes among the elderly.