The
term ‘elderly’ is used to refer to men and women of pensionable age
(Barasi,2009). According to Ensiminger, (2005), elderly refers to people aged
65 years and older. It can also be referred to as the senior citizens of our
land. Those who have attained the chronological age of at least 65years. In the
affluent society, 65years may look early but considering that majority of the
Nigerian people still live in rural area where unmodernized subsistence farming
is predominate , 65years is adequate(Onimawo, 2001).
term ‘elderly’ is used to refer to men and women of pensionable age
(Barasi,2009). According to Ensiminger, (2005), elderly refers to people aged
65 years and older. It can also be referred to as the senior citizens of our
land. Those who have attained the chronological age of at least 65years. In the
affluent society, 65years may look early but considering that majority of the
Nigerian people still live in rural area where unmodernized subsistence farming
is predominate , 65years is adequate(Onimawo, 2001).
According
to the COMA[DOH](2002), defining the elderly people as all people over 65years
of age , is not helpful in identifying those either specific need or likely to
be at risk of nutritional deficiencies. So in this, groups of elderly people
were differentiated ‘thus, young elderly people’ those aged from 65-74years,
older elderly people those age 75years and above. The elderly above 75years are
the most vulnerable sectors of the retired population and so it is likely that
nutritional problem will increase(Eastwood, 2007).
to the COMA[DOH](2002), defining the elderly people as all people over 65years
of age , is not helpful in identifying those either specific need or likely to
be at risk of nutritional deficiencies. So in this, groups of elderly people
were differentiated ‘thus, young elderly people’ those aged from 65-74years,
older elderly people those age 75years and above. The elderly above 75years are
the most vulnerable sectors of the retired population and so it is likely that
nutritional problem will increase(Eastwood, 2007).
The
nutritional status and the health of people are affected by the food they eat,
both the kind and quality. Notwithstanding, the degree of food supply, people
everywhere tend to develop patterns of eating and these patterns settle into
fixed habits (Martins, 2007). Food habits are reported by Barasi, (2009), are
typical behaviour of a particular group of people in relation to food. They
include food choice, method of eating, preparation and numbers of meal eaten
per day, time of eating and size of the portion eaten.
nutritional status and the health of people are affected by the food they eat,
both the kind and quality. Notwithstanding, the degree of food supply, people
everywhere tend to develop patterns of eating and these patterns settle into
fixed habits (Martins, 2007). Food habits are reported by Barasi, (2009), are
typical behaviour of a particular group of people in relation to food. They
include food choice, method of eating, preparation and numbers of meal eaten
per day, time of eating and size of the portion eaten.
Food
and health are now and always have been connected. Food habits of people have
effect on their health status (Lutz,2007).
and health are now and always have been connected. Food habits of people have
effect on their health status (Lutz,2007).
According
to Baker (2009), good nutrition contributes to the health of the ederly people
and their ability to recover from illness. Food habits plays an important role
in health. Lifelong inadequate dietary habits may leave the elderly in a state
of marginal deficiency for number of nutrients. Acute or chronic diseases on
low or deficient nutrient reserves precipitation frank deficiency (Luke, 2004).
to Baker (2009), good nutrition contributes to the health of the ederly people
and their ability to recover from illness. Food habits plays an important role
in health. Lifelong inadequate dietary habits may leave the elderly in a state
of marginal deficiency for number of nutrients. Acute or chronic diseases on
low or deficient nutrient reserves precipitation frank deficiency (Luke, 2004).
Ageing
may be defined as regression of physiological function accompanied by advancing
age (Eastwood, 2007). This process starts once growth is complete at the age of
25. Later on, this process speeds up and physiological changes become apparent
(Baker, 2008). Generally, scientists believe that ageing process is genetically
determined but most agree that a lifelong commitment to good healthy eating
habits and adequate exercise can modify health and longevity (Stanfield, 2010).
may be defined as regression of physiological function accompanied by advancing
age (Eastwood, 2007). This process starts once growth is complete at the age of
25. Later on, this process speeds up and physiological changes become apparent
(Baker, 2008). Generally, scientists believe that ageing process is genetically
determined but most agree that a lifelong commitment to good healthy eating
habits and adequate exercise can modify health and longevity (Stanfield, 2010).