Nutritional Status and Dietary Pattern in Geriatric Population of Rural Bulandshahr of Western Uttar Pradesh

Old age is one of the vulnerable and prone stages in terms of health status. Nutrition is an essential determining factor of elderly mass specifically over the age of 60 years. Therefore, a study was conducted with objectives to assess the nutritional status of elderly people and to find out the dietary habits, clinical signs and symptoms and existing ailments of the selected respondents of rural areas of Bulandshahr. Six villages from three different blocks were randomly selected. A sample of 150 respondents out of which 75 were males and 75 females aged 60 years and above were selected purposively with snow ball sampling method. Respondents were personally interviewed with the help of pre-tested interview schedule by personally visiting the sampled six villages. The data were collected on the parameters of anthropometric measurements, food habits, dietary pattern and clinical sign and symptoms of the respondents. Height in centimeter (cm) and weight in kilogram (kg) were measured. Blood pressure was also calculated with digital heart rate monitor. Dietary intake was determined by 24 hours dietary recall method. Results indicated that 85.33% males and 89% females consumed milk and milk product daily. Water intake among 45.33% females and 29.33% males was 6–10 glasses and 11–15 glasses/day respectively. Consumption of fat was 50% surplus in males and 37.03% in females besides the intake of other nutrients like carbohydrates, protein, calcium, vitamin C and iron. However, total calorie intake was found to be deficit in elderly respondents leading sedentary lifestyle. Smoking in the form of hukka, alcohol consumption were cause of referred problems among males.