NUTRITION AND THE HEALTH STATUS OF THE ELDERLY IN ATEITU AND WINNEBA ZONGO COMMUNITIES IN THE EFFUTU MUNICIPALITY

ABSTRACT

The study sought to examine the nutritional practices and the health of the elderly in Ateitu and Winneba Zongo Communities in the Effutu Municipality. A sample of 100 elderly persons was selected for the study using the snowball sampling technique. Questionnaire, focus group discussion and observations were the instruments used in data collection. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for windows, version 16 was used in the data analysis. Responses from respondents were converted into frequencies and percentages for analysis to establish the extent to which the elderly in the area of study, take their meals and the effects on these meals on their health status. The main findings were that elderly citizens of Atietu and Winneba Zongo communities in the Effutu Municipality took breakfast and supper regularly and that about 4% of them did not take lunch mainly for financial reasons. Breakfast and supper were usually taken fresh while lunch usually consisted of pre - heated food. The elderly citizen of Atietu and Winneba Zongo communities had indigenous knowledge about nutrition and the relationship between the food they took and their health. For that reason, they made adequate provision of nutritious diet in their homes thus reducing the occurrence of diet related ailments among them. Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended among others that the Department of Home Economics Education, UEW, undertake an outreach or public education programme from time to time in this neighborhoods to sensitize the people, not only the elderly, on their diet, especially on the need to eat balanced diet and also to avoid overheating. The few elderly that did not eat regularly must be encouraged to eat thrice daily.