Elderly’s Food Consumption Behaviour In A Rural Area In Northeast Thailand : Study In Non-Com District

Abstract

The study was udndrtaken to obtain informaiton about food consumption, food habit and nutritional status of the food eaten by the elderly, The subjects of the study were 82 elderly people (38 men, 44 women) in Sern-Nae village and Pha-Gua village, both in Non-com District , KhonKaen Province, Northeast Thailand. All the villagers aged sixty and over were interviewed. The nutritional status of the elderly was assessed by body mass index (BMI). Semi quantitative of food comsuption in 24 hours was studied in 30 percent of the elderly group (randomly selected). The elderly were asked about foods eaten in the previous 24 hours and also interviewed about food habits. The average age of the subjects was 71 years. They generally lived with their  famillies and had meals with other members .Foods were cooked by daughters or daughters-inlaw. 43.9 percent of the subjects had a chronic illness. It is traditionally believed that the elderly should not eat raw food. Half of the group had chewing problems that the elderly should not eat raw food. Half of the group had chewing problems. 71 percent were found to have low nutritional status (the average body mass index of this percentage was 19.5 kg/m² for men and 17.2 kg/m² for women). Therefore , the elderly had a tendency to be unhealthy and malnurished. Although their food had a low fat content they got enough calories, rotein and iron. Larger amounts of vitamin B1 Vitamin B2 niacin and Vitamin C , which were rather low , should be recommended. Furthermore, to improve the healh of the elderly , the midwives would be a valuable group to use in compaigning and educating the public, Those who prepare food should be educated so that they can prepare appropriate foods for the elderly.