A survey of nutritional and health status of elderly farmers in north 24 parganas, (WB)

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 396 elderly (192 males and 204 females) farmers, of North 24 Parganas (W.B.), age varying from 60 years to 80 years to find out the morbidity and nutritional status. Each respondent in the study was interviewed and clinically examined individually. The information was collected on a pretested Pro-forma. Based on the present findings it may be concluded that aged farmers are mostly affected by low back pain, osteoarthritis, and upper back pain. While comparing the elderly males aged between 60–70 years and above 70 years, there is a significant deficiency of most of the micronutrients except protein. The same is also true with the elderly women of 60–70 years and above 70 years. With the advancement in the age in both males and females above 70 years of age, calcium deficiency is evident. Moreover, they also have micronutrient deficiency-related disorders especially Vitamin A deficiency which was significant among men and women.