Dietary Survey of Rural Elderly in Nigeria

The objectives of this study are to survey the food and nutrient intake of non-institutionalised elderly in rural Southwestern Nigeria and to compare these intakes during the raining season with intakes during the dry season. The subjects consisted of 112 free living elderly persons aged 65-85 years. Food frequency questionnaires were combined with 24-hour recall to obtain information on food intake and these were converted to nutrient intake values using food composition Tables. The results show that on average, food intake increased by 30% during the raining season resulting in about a 20% increase in dietary energy intake to 4.6 MJ for males and 4.35 MJ for females. Compared to the RDA, however, this level of intake was below requirements, being 58% RDA for female and 60% for male subjects. On average, protein intake was also significantly higher (p < 0.05) during the raining season, ranging from 40 g/d to 50 g/d. Only 10% of total protein intake was derived from animal sources. Most of the subjects met their RDA for calcium but these were derived mostly from plant sources. Intake of iron was marginal when compared with RDA, but intakes of both Thiamin and Riboflavin were inadequate for both males and females during the two seasons.