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Research Article | DOI: https://doi.org/10.31579/2637-8914/253
1Department of Home Economics, Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo
2Department of Agriculture, Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo
*Corresponding Author: Akinjide Akinsola, 1Helen Keller International, Nutrition Department, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Citation: Obisesan, D. O., Alaka, F. A., Odunayo, A. A. & Aanu-Bakare, G. O, (2024), Assessment of Nutritional Status and Dietary Pattern of Rural and Urban Retirees in Selected Communities of South-West Nigeria, J. Nutrition and Food Processing, 7(11); DOI:10.31579/2637-8914/253
Copyright: © 2024, Akinjide Akinsola. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Received: 17 July 2024 | Accepted: 02 September 2024 | Published: 12 September 2024
Keywords: anthropometric indices; food intake; nutritional status; quality of life; retirees
The study assessed nutritional status and dietary pattern of rural and urban retirees in selected communities in South-West Nigeria. Four research questions were raised to guide the study and two hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study adopted a descriptive survey design with 420 respondents. Three instruments were used for the study which is laboratory analysis, structured questionnaire and measurement of anthropometric indices. The instrument was validated by experts while its reliability test was done using Pearson Product-Moment Correlation which yielded a co-efficient of 0.83. Frequency, Percentage, Mean and Standard Deviation were used to answer research questions while Pearson Correlation Coefficient was used to test the hypothesis. The results of the study showed that level of food intake was high but low in quality, more than half of the retirees are at a high nutritional health risk, the nutritional status was normal for male retirees and risky for female. Furthermore, the relationship between food intake and nutritional status is insignificant for rural retirees but, low, negative and significant for rural and urban retirees in selected community in South-West Nigeria. The study recommended, among others, that proper attention should be given to retirees’ food intake to reduce the observed prevalence of nutrient deficit in order to improve their quality of life
There are different opinions on when ‘old age’ begins which depends on the selection criteria, the starting point for old age in Nigeria and international circle has been set at 60 years. A retiree is often an elderly person advanced in age beyond middle age; old age consists of ages nearing or surpassing the average life span of human being and thus heading towards the end of human life cycle. They are those who have retired from the public sector or any paid position and are 60 years of age or older, they are also known as retirees or senior citizen (Babineau et al., 2018). Research have shown that nutrition in one early age goes a long way to affect one’s nutritional status and health-wise in the old age. Nutritional requirements in the elderly remain about the same, but their energy needs decrease. This means that older people should consciously select foods with a high nutritional value (Shahar, 2017). These are foods that are high in vitamins, minerals and fibre like whole grain products, legumes, fruit and vegetables. Rich energy source foods such as oils, butter, cold cuts, whole-milk products, baked goods and candy should be eaten sparingly because they contain a lot of calories in the form of sugar and fat which can contribute to obesity just as in younger years, attention must be given in old age to maintain a healthy body weight. Energy consumption is also raised by regular exercise, and this has a beneficial effect on weight. People who exercise regular can also eat more, and this makes it easier to meet daily vitamin, mineral, and trace requirements (Dunne & Dahl, 2017).
Physical activity has the benefit of preventing muscle deterioration, promoting mental equilibrium, and warding of the disease of civilization in elderly person/retirees (King et al., 2017). Everyday physical exercise can be added to, or substituted for, sports like bicycling, gym work-outs, strength training, or walking. Use the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator, go shopping on foot, take an afternoon walk through the path or by the lake, take a walk with the dog (or your neighbor’s) and the likes. Outdoor exercise builds up vitamin D from the sunshine which, along with calcium, influences bone density. Hunger and thirst as well as the senses of taste and smell can decrease in older people. It may be helpful to have outside reference points and signals for guidance (time of day, members of the household and the likes). Eating and drinking should therefore be planned. It is useful to develop an eating pattern in which several small meals are spread out over the day. The sensation of thirst can also diminish; the body’s signals for lack of fluids get weaker with age (Firdaus, 2015). The old people should drink at least 105 litres (3pints) of liquid a day, the volume of liquid drinks should be increased in case of greater fluid loss (e.g. heavy sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.) coffee, black tea and alcoholic drinks do not count since they draw fluid from the body. These problems can be dealt with by balanced nutrition, eating fibre-rich foods such as whole-grain products (at least one portion a day) and fruits and vegetables and by drinking at least 105 litres (3pints) of liquids.
Proper chewing promotes digestion (Babar et al., 2022). The digestive tract is less burdened if several small meals a day are consumed, while digestive disorder such as bloating and feelings of fullness will occur less often. Exercise and abdominal massage could keep the intestines moving (Fanelli & Stevenhagen, 2018). The best formula for a healthy old age is an active lifestyle with regular bodily exercise, an abundance of social interaction and a balanced varied (Higuera, 2019). Thus, in a nation like Nigeria where the economy is in a decline, diet-related illnesses are unavoidable, it became obvious that elderly people's eating habits and nutritional status must be determined in order to implementing interventions because the effects on the health of retirees in rural and urban regions may be severe. Therefore, the objective of the research was to use senior citizens in South-West Nigeria's rural and urban residents to assess food intake and nutritional status while four research questions were raised to guide the study and one hypothesis was tested at 0.05 level of significant.
1.1. Research Questions
The following research questions were used to guide the study;
1.2. Objectives of the study
The general purpose of the study is to assess the nutritional status and dietary pattern of rural and urban retirees in selected communities of south-west Nigeria while its specific objectives are;
1.3. Hypotheses
The research design used was descriptive research design which was mainly used to elicit information on the assessment of nutritional status and dietary pattern of rural and urban retirees in selected communities in South-West of about 2,385,053 elderly/retirees in South-West Nigeria (National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, 2023).
2.1. Population and sampling techniques
Multi-stage sampling techniques were employed for the study. The first stage was the selection of four (i.e 0.02%) of the retirees in each states in the geo-political zone. The four states were purposively selected for manageability. The selected states are (Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun and Osun). This was followed by random selection of (0.02%) in each of the four states whereby each state was divided into rural local governments and also urban local governments while each selected local government, there were randomly selection of towns and villages as well as communities and wards. In each ward, purposive election of retirees was taking place for about (0.02%) which amount the total of four hundred (420) retirees used for the study.
2.2. Instrument for data collection
A structured questionnaire was used for data collection which consists of two sections (A and B). Section A elicit information on the samples consisting of 5 (demographical profile) terms with18-items. Section B was a pre-format recorded of 24-hour dietary recall and nutritional intake of the elderly based on their age, height, and weight was taken using a bathroom scale and height meter. These measurements were used to determine stunting, underweight and wasting of the respondents which were done during observation for weeks before their daily intake (24hr- recall method) for laboratory analysis in order to determine their daily food intake when compared to food composition standard/textbook.
2.3. Validation and reliability of the instrument
The ascertain of content and face validity of the instrument was done by giving out the questionnaire to experts in the field of nutritionists who are also experienced in research which help to eliminate all forms of bias and irrelevant items from the questionnaire. The suggested areas of modification were affected by the researchers. The reliability of the instrument was established by using the test-retest method. Forty respondents of twenty females and twenty males per each state was randomly selected from four different rural and urban areas in Ondo and Oyo States that are not parts of the states used for the study. A re-administration of the same instrument was done after two weeks using the same group of respondents. The total scores for each testing period were computed and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) was used to determine the agreement between the two scores. A reliability test “r” 0.78 was accepted to make the structured questionnaire highly reliable.
2.4. Data collection and analysis
The administration, collection of the questionnaire and body measurement of was done with the help of two research assistants. Four hundred and twenty copies of the questionnaire were randomly distributed to the respondents and all were recovered back. Data generated through the questionnaire was analyses using percentages, mean and standard deviation. The food intake of the rural and urban retirees was compared with Food and Agriculture Organization standards. The hypothesis was tested at 0.05 level of significant while laboratory results were expressed as mean of triplicate analyses.
3.1. Proximate Composition of 24-hr recall food intake of the retirees
There was no significant differences (p<0>
| Lagos State | Ogun State | Ekiti State | Osun State | |||||
Parameter (%) | Oluwole (Urban) | Isele (Rural) | Lafenwa (Urban) | Ilugun (Rural) | Ado-Ekiti (Urban) | Ayegbaju (Rural) | Akarabata (Urban) | Gbogan (Rural) |
| Moisture content | 8.53 ± 0.23b | 8.54 ± 0.11b | 8.19 ± 0.30a | 8.04 ± 0.21a | 8.64 ± 0.13b | 8.64 ± 0.22b | 8.33 ± 0.15ab | 8.28 ± 0.23a |
| Crude protein | 6.87 ± 0.21c | 6.75 ± 0.17c | 5.56 ± 0.01a | 6.25 ± 0.26b | 6.21 ± 0.20b | 6.43 ± 0.11bc | 6.57 ± 0.08bc | 6.08 ± 0.21b |
| Crude fat | 5.57 ± 0.03b | 5.28 ± 0.20a | 5.59 ± 0.11b | 5.09 ± 0.07a | 6.04 ± 0.16c | 5.77 ± 0.03bc | 5.31 ± 0.01a | 5.42 ± 0.14a |
| Crude fiber | 2.34 ± 0.08bc | 2.46 ± 0.11c | 2.25 ± 0.05bc | 2.08 ± 0.13 b | 2.74 ± 0.09d | 2.04 ± 0.06b | 2.19 ± 0.11ab | 1.69 ± 0.23a |
| Total ash | 3.80 ± 0.00ab | 3.92 ± 0.14b | 3.46 ± 0.07a | 3.41 ± 0.00a | 3.91 ± 0.04b | 3.86 ± 0.01ab | 3.81 ± 0.03ab | 3.57 ± 0.05a |
| CHO | 72.94 ± 0.05a | 73.03 ± 0.43ab | 74.15 ± 0.27c | 75.13 ± 0.52cd | 72.46 ± 0.16a | 73.26 ± 0.29ab | 73.79 ± 0.41ab | 74.96 ± 0.39cd |
| Energy, KJ/g | 387.48 ± 1.05b | 384.91 ± 0.96a | 390.75 ± 0.93c | 389.75 ± 1.00bc | 387.67 ± 0.91b | 389.30 ± 0.88bc | 387.62 ± 0.87b | 391.54 ± 1.01c |
Values are means ± SD of triplicate determinations while values with different superscript within the same row are significantly different @ p<0>
Tables 1: Proximate Composition of 24-hr recall food intake of the retirees
3.2 Mineral profiles of 24-hr recall food intake of the retirees
Statistical differences were observed at alpha p<0>
| Lagos State | Ogun State | Ekiti State | Osun State | |||||
Parameter (100mg/g) | Oluwole (Urban) | Isele (Rural) | Lafenwa (Urban) | Ilugun (Rural) | Ado-Ekiti (Urban) | Ayegbaju (Rural) | Akarabata (Urban) | Gbogan (Rural) |
| Calcium | 1.86 ± 0.00a | 2.48 ± 0.11bc | 1.79 ± 0.07a | 1.84 ± 0.03a | 2.31 ± 0.00b | 2.33 ± 0.06b | 2.08 ± 0.13ab | 2.01 ± 0.10ab |
| Cupper | 2.46 ± 0.00b | 2.61 ± 0.21c | 1.96 ± 0.18a | 1.96 ± 0.11a | 2.19 ± 0.08ab | 2.56 ± 0.31b | 1.96 ± 0.08a | 1.97 ± 0.04a |
| Iron | 2.51 ± 0.11b | 2.64 ± 0.04b | 2.01 ± 0.05ab | 1.99 ± 0.00a | 2.23 ± 0.10ab | 2.50 ± 0.16b | 2.00 ± 0.32ab | 1.99 ± 0.00a |
| Magnesium | 26.87 ± 1.04c | 20.50 ± 0.88ab | 26.37 ± 0.36c | 19.85 ± 0.21ab | 22.36 ± 0.15b | 18.70 ± 0.28a | 22.18 ± 0.15b | 18.37 ± 0.00a |
| Potassium | 191.52 ± 1.63d | 177.96 ± 0.93b | 191.02 ± 1.59d | 177.33 ± 0.34b | 184.28 ± 1.71c | 161.51 ± 0.38a | 184.55 ± 1.69c | 161.18 ± 0.47a |
| Sodium | 11.97 ± 0.30b | 10.61 ± 0.26a | 11.91 ± 0.18b | 10.32 ± 0.21a | 12.96 ± 0.86c | 11.60 ± 0.52b | 13.18 ± 0.84d | 11.82 ± 0.61b |
| Zinc | 2.51 ± 0.22b | 2.67 ± 0.18bc | 2.00 ± 0.00ab | 1.98 ± 0.07a | 2.18 ± 0.00ab | 2.39 ± 0.00b | 1.99 ± 0.15a | 1.95 ± 0.13a |
| Mean | 34.25 ± 0.47d | 31.35 ± 0.37bc | 33.87 ± 0.35cd | 30.75 ± 0.14b | 32.09 ± 0.24c | 28.80 ± 0.24a | 32.58 ± 0.48c | 28.47± 0.19a |
Values are means ± SD of triplicate determinations while values with different superscript within the same row are significantly different @ p<0>
Tables 2: Mineral Profiles of 24-hr recall food intake of the retirees
3.3. Vitamins Content of 24-hr recall food intake of the retirees
Likewise, the vitamins contents followed the same trends of mineral profiles determined. Significant differences (p<0>
Parameter (100mg/g) | Lagos State | Ogun State | Ekiti State | Osun State | ||||
Oluwole (Urban) | Isele (Rural) | Lafenwa (Urban) | Ilugun (Rural) | Ado-Ekiti (Urban) | Ayegbaju (Rural) | Akarabata (Urban) | Gbogan (Rural) | |
| Vitamin A | 70.52 ± 0.68d | 69.92 ± 0.35d | 83.04 ± 1.23ef | 80.99 ± 0.53e | 50.18 ± 0.22cd | 38.91 ± 0.27a | 49.52 ± 0.14c | 43.42 ± 0.11b |
| Vitamin B1 | 3.55 ± 0.13c | 2.95 ± 0.07b | 3.53 ± 0.06c | 1.98 ± 0.14a | 3.55 ± 0.33c | 3.42 ± 0.18c | 2.90 ± 0.22b | 2.92 ± 0.19b |
| Vitamin B2 | 3.54 ± 0.11cd | 2.94 ± 0.20bc | 3.50 ± 0.19cd | 1.94 ± 0.15a | 3.94 ± 0.21d | 3.41 ± 0.26c | 2.88 ± 0.30b | 2.91 ± 0.13b |
| Vitamin C | 13.01 ± 0.72cd | 12.41 ± 0.08cd | 13.36 ± 0.54c | 11.24 ± 0.36b | 9.98 ± 0.17a | 15.58 ± 0.19d | 9.33 ± 0.35a | 15.34 ± 0.27d |
| Vitamin K | 4.48 ± 0.18de | 3.88 ± 0.29c | 4.18 ± 0.15d | 2.63 ± 0.11a | 4.08 ± 0.11d | 3.57 ± 0.33bc | 3.44 ± 0.19bc | 3.07 ± 0.12b |
| Mean | 19.02 ± 0.36cd | 18.42 ± 0.20c | 21.53 ± 0.43d | 19.75 ± 0.26cd | 14.36 ± 0.21b | 12.97 ± 0.25a | 13.82 ± 0.24ab | 13.49 ± 0.16ab |
Values are means ± SD of triplicate determinations while values with different superscript within the same row are significantly different @ p<0>
Tables 3: Vitamins Content of 24-hr recall food intake of the retirees
3.4. Mean and standard deviation of health of retirees in south-west Nigeria
Table 4 shows the descriptive data with respect to the nutritional health of retirees in South-West Nigeria. Total respondents are 420, the minimum value is 0.00, while the maximum was 12.00. Though they have a mean of 8.83 ± 2.61 Standard Deviation, the mean value when compared with the standard as prescribed is above the mean of 6.00.This implies that averagely, the retirees are having a high nutritional health risk.
| Variable | N | Min | Max | Mean | Std. Dev | Remarks |
| Health Status | 420 | 0.00 | 12.00 | 8.83 | 2.61 | High Health Risky |
Table 4: Mean and standard deviation of health of retirees in south-west Nigeria
3.5. Mean and standard deviation of nutritional status of retirees in south-west Nigeria
Table 5 shows the descriptive data with respect to the nutritional status of retirees in South-West Nigeria. Total respondents’ N = 420 comprising 214 male retirees and 206 female retirees. The mean value for the males is 0.806 while it was 0.804 for the females. Comparing these values with the criteria, it is interpreted as “Normal” for male and “Risky” for the female retirees.
| Sex | N | Min | Max | Mean | Std. Dev | Remarks |
| Male | 204 | 0.649 | 0.907 | 0.806 | 0.059 | Normal |
| Female | 216 | 0.633 | 0.902 | 0.804 | 0.058 | Risky |
Table 5: Mean and standard deviation of nutritional status of retirees in south-west Nigeria
3.6. Hypothesis I: There is no significant difference in the food intake of retirees in rural and urban areas in South-West Nigeria
Table 6 shows the test of difference in the food intake of rural and urban retirees in South-West Nigeria. From the table, the number of rural retirees’ respondents is 94 while the urban retirees are 146 and their mean values are 49.85 and 50.93 while standard deviations are 5.99 and 4.95 respectively. The t-value of -1.518 is not significant, because, the p-value (0.130) is greater than alpha level. Therefore, the null hypothesis is retained. This implies that irrespective of whether the retirees are in rural or urban areas the level of food intake is the same. The result of data analysis in response to hypothesis one indicated that there is no significant difference in the food intake of male and female retirees in South-West Nigeria. Hence, the null hypothesis is retained, implying that irrespective of whether the retirees is male and female the level of food intake is the same. This could be as a result of decrease in calorie intake which are associated with a series of symptoms such as loss of taste bud, tooth, sore gum, ailment of diseases and many others, irrespective of their gender. In a similar study, Sanford (2017) highlighted that nearly 20-30% of elderly individuals suffer from anorexia which is a major contributor of frailty among both male and female. Study by Theou et al. (2015) found that 12 - 28 % elderly people are frail, with the highest prevalence among women than men whereas Campitelli et al. (2018) found frailty to be prevalent among 19 - 44 % of the elderly population both male and female. The decline in calorie intake is associated with numerous factors which aggravate the geriatric syndrome of anorexia.
| Location | N | Mean | Std. Dev. | Df | t-value | p-value (Sig. 2-tailed) |
| Rural | 94 | 49.85 | 5.99 | 238 | -1.518 | 0.130 |
| Urban | 146 | 50.93 | 4.95 |
α = 0.05; p >0.05 Not Significant
Table 6: Independent samples t-test of difference in food intake of rural and urban retirees in south-west Nigeria
3.7. Hypothesis II: There is no significant relationship between food intake, health and nutritional status of retirees in South-West Nigeria.
Table 7 shows the Pearson’s coefficient of correlation among food intake, health and nutritional status. From the table the correlation coefficients (r) between “Food Intake” and “Health” is 0.154 this value is positive but low, however, the value is significant. The correlation coefficient between “Food Intake” and “Nutritional Status,” is - 0.065 which is negative, low and insignificant, as well as this between “Nutritional Status” and “Health” (- 0.074). The null hypothesis is rejected as far as the food intake and health of the retirees are concerned. This implies that increase in food intake corresponds to increase in health among retirees in South-West Nigeria. The answer to hypothesis showed that there is a significant positive and low relationship between food intake and health, but the relationship is a negative, low and insignificant between food intake and nutritional status, as well as between nutritional status and health. This could be because of good knowledge of food nutrient constitute to appropriate health as well as good nutritional status. Improved food intake has been shown to correlate positively with improved health among retirees (Getahun et al., 2016). The authors explained that good diet is essential to health promotion and to chronic disease management among these people. Aguila (2018) also posited that improved food intake is a necessary focus for public health and policy in tackling chronic disease and in supporting well-being and healthy life through old age. Therefore, food intake and healthy living can simultaneously be improved upon through good knowledge of food and nutrition and active dietary behavior.
| N = 420 | Food intake | Health | Nutritional Status | |
| Food intake | Pearson Correlation | 1 | ||
| Sig. (2-tailed) | ||||
| Health Status | Pearson Correlation | 0.154* | 1 | |
| Sig. (2-tailed) | 0.017 | |||
| Nutritional Status | Pearson Correlation | -0.065 | -0.074 | 1 |
| Sig. (2-tailed) | 0.313 | 0.253 | ||
| * = Correlation is significant at the 0.05 level (2-tailed). | ||||
Table 7: Correlation matrix of food intake, nutritional health and nutritional status of retirees in south west Nigeria
The findings of this study showed that the retirees have high level of nutritional knowledge and food availability. This afforded them the opportunity to be able to choose the right food at the right and appropriate time. However, the level of food intake was found to be low which mean their nutritional health and status risk will be high. Finally, increase in food intake of the retirees corresponds to increase in their low nutritional health.
4.1. Recommendations
Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations were made;
We acknowledge and appreciate The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) of Nigeria through Institution Based Research Grant (IBRG) and Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo authorities for funding the project in the selected states of south-west households, Nigeria. Moreover, we are highly indebted to the research assistants that were used for this study.
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