Strategies for Enhancing Dietary Pattern and Nutrient Intake of the Elderly (60 Years) and Above in Idemili North Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria

The study examined the strategies for enhancing dietary pattern and nutrient intake of the elderly (60 years) and above in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. The design used for the study was a descriptive survey design. The population for the study was 1480 retirees above 60 years. The sample size was 150 retirees selected using the convenience sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was the instrument used for the collection of data. Data collected were analyzed using mean. Findings revealed that the challenges to adequate dietary pattern and food intake of the elderly included inadequate knowledge of organic and healthy foods, problems on food insecurity (unavailability and poor access to food), and poor nutrition knowledge about foods required by the elderly, among others. Findings also indicated that the strategies for enhancing the dietary pattern and food intake of the elderly included creating nutrition awareness for the elderly on adequate feeding, encouraging home gardening to enhance vegetable production, and providing nutritional counselling for the elderly. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that nutrition awareness should be created for the elderly in order to enhance their dietary pattern and food intake. Also, in order to meet the recommended nutrient intake by the elderly, the use of dietary supplements like multivitamin supplements, protein supplements and mineral supplements can be used.