Food intakes and pattern of consumption among elderly Nigerians with a low income†

Nutrition Planning to meet the nutritional needs of the elderly often presents many problems. A dietary survey was conducted on 173 old men and 134 old women, in five local government areas of the Cross River State, Nigeria. The intake of 26 women and 31 men was determined by weighing. Information about the food eaten for one week, the sources of food, income and methods of food preparation were also obtained. The old persons investigated had relatively normal body weights. The mean protein intake was adequate at all ages but 11 percent of the men and 13 percent of the women had intakes below FAO requirements. With age there was a gradual reduction of energy intake due to diminishing ability to swallow. Thirty percent of the men and 25 percent of the women did not meet their energy requirements. The mean intakes of ascorbic acid and vitamin A for men aged 60–69 years were adequate. The consumption of thiamine, riboflavin and niacin were very low. Ninety‐six percent of the men had intakes of niacin and riboflavin below FAO requirements. A majority of the subjects did not eat eggs, meat, poultry and milk due to beliefs and superstitions. Poor methods of food preparation and preservation may further have reduced the values of calculated intakes at various ages.

Recognition of the problem posed by inadequate intake of the elderly is a first necessity and solutions must be sought early enough to keep pace with increasing urbanization in developing countries.