Department of Public Health Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Kenya Methodist University, Nairobi, Kenya.
Research Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2021, 11(03), 453-461
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjarr.2021.11.3.0494
Received on 24 August 2021; revised on 28 September 2021; accepted on 30 September 2021
Ageing is often associated with various needs as well as changes, which make elderly people susceptible to malnutrition. A healthy diet helps to protect against malnutrition in all its forms, as well as noncommunicable diseases. Malnutrition is a major risk factor of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases and therefore the importance of good dietary practices and balanced diet cannot be overemphasized. The percentage of older people at risk of malnutrition in most Kenyan Counties has increased to 29.6% from 20.1% in 2015. This study therefore study sought to assess the effect of dietary practices on malnutrition among the elderly in Kiambu County. The research design was cross sectional descriptive research design. The target population in this study was the elderly population from the age of 60 years and above. A sample of 398 respondents was determined with the help of Yamane Formula. A questionnaire was used to collect data. Descriptive, chi-square and correlation analysis were conducted with the help of SPSS. Results showed that prevalence of malnutrition stands at 42%. Results also showed poor dietary practices. Only 26.6% of the sample had 3 meals per day. The results showed that gender (p=0.000) and education level (p=0.035) were significant. Results also showed that skipping of meals (p=0.003) and number of meals (p=0.042) were significant. Cross tabulation showed that respondents who had less than 3 meals and who skipped at least one meal were more likely to be malnourished. The study concluded that the high prevalence of malnutrition in the sample can be attributed to poor dietary practices. This study recommended an increase in food supplementation efforts by the county government to old people.
Malnutrition of the Elderly; Nutrition status; Geriatric nutrition; Dietary practices; Ageing
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Wambui Mary Kamwana, Job Mapesa and Naftali Oirere. Dietary practices associated with prevalence of malnutrition among the elderly in Kiambu County, Kenya. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2021, 11(3), 453-461. Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2021.11.3.0494