Awareness of Feeding Habits Nutritional Status and Nutrition-Related Health Problems Among Elderly Persons in Agbor Delta State Nigeria

Abstract Background Population ageing is accompanied by increasing nutritional challenges, including inadequate dietary intake, malnutrition, overweight and nutrition-related chronic diseases. However, limited information is available on feeding habits, nutritional status and awareness of nutrition-related health problems among older persons in Delta State, Nigeria. Objectives This study assessed the awareness of appropriate feeding habits, nutritional status, dietary practices and nutrition-related health problems among older persons in Agbor, Delta State, Nigeria. Methods A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 392 older persons in eight communities in Agbor, Delta State. Data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, awareness of appropriate feeding habits and nutrition-related health problems, dietary practices and a 24-hour dietary recall. Anthropometric measurements were obtained to determine body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results Participants were predominantly aged 65–74 years (65.0%), and 53.0% were female. Awareness of appropriate feeding habits was variable. While 65.0% recognised the importance of regular meals and 65.1% understood that feeding habits influence health and nutritional status, awareness was low regarding dietary variety (30.0%), adequate protein intake (35.0%), limitation of fatty or fried foods (31.1%) and consumption of whole grains and fibre (12.0%). Awareness of nutrition-related health problems was also inconsistent. Most participants recognised that inadequate food intake could cause malnutrition (83.5%) and that inadequate nutritious food could result in underweight (80.5%), while awareness of the relationships between excess salt and hypertension (23.0%), iron-rich foods and anaemia (22.5%), and dietary variety and micronutrient deficiency (24.3%) was poor. Dietary practices showed that 56.0% ate twice daily, 54.3% skipped meals and 48.0% reported that they did not eat enough food. Among those who skipped meals, lack of strength to prepare food (51.0%) and inability to afford food (49.0%) were major reasons. Anthropometric assessment revealed a substantial burden of malnutrition: 27.0% were underweight, while 24.0% were overweight and 30.6% had obesity. Overall, 54.6% were overweight or obese, and 51.5% had an elevated waist-to-hip ratio. Conclusion Older persons in Agbor experience a substantial double burden of malnutrition characterised by the coexistence of undernutrition, overweight/obesity and central adiposity. Gaps in awareness of healthy feeding practices and nutrition-related health risks were accompanied by frequent meal skipping and inadequate food intake. Community-based nutrition education, improved access to affordable nutrient-dense foods, routine nutritional screening and nutrition counselling should be integrated into healthcare and social support services for older persons in Agbor.