NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY OF ELDERLY IN SELECTED COMMUNITIES IN YEWA SOUTH, OGUN STATE

Abstract

This study assessed the nutritional status and functional capacity of Elderly in selected communities in Yewa south, Ogun state. By using a multi-stage sampling process, 320 respondents in total were selected. Data was collected from the respondents using a semi-structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was in sections, and it contained questions on the socio demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, and functional capacity of the respondents. Anthropometric measurements were taken and the BMI was determined and compared to WHO reference standard. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the study data utilizing statistical product and service solutions (SPSS v. 20.0). The result shows that majority of the respondents were between the ages of 60-64 years (45.3%) and belong to Yoruba ethnic group (89.4%). Also, 30.3% of respondents had secondary school certificate, 32.2% were petty traders and 79.4% of the respondents earned above ₦20,000 monthly. Close to half of the respondents (45.9%) had normal weight, while 38.8% of the respondents were overweight. In addition, 3.1% and 12.2% were underweight and obese respectively. The result for functional capacity shows that 96.9% had a normal self-care activity, and for self-care activity functionality, 96.9% were independent. Furthermore, 82.5% of the respondents had a normal household care activity and 82.5% of them household care functionality are independent. For enjoyment and recreational activities, majority of the respondents (87.8%) have a normal activity; similarly, 87.8% of them can also carry out their activity independently. It was concluded that majority of the elderly can carry out their Basic Activities of Daily Living (BADL) and also Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) independently. Significance association (P<0.05) was observed between some socio-economic characteristics and nutritional status.