Diet and nutritional status in elderly Zimbabweans.

Abstract

nutritional studies in developing countries tend to focus on women of reproductive age and children. Little is known about the diet or nutritional status of elderly Africans. to record the diet, anthropometric, haematological and biochemical measurements which might reflect nutrition and social factors in a group of elderly Zimbabweans. cross-sectional community survey. a remote rural area in north-eastern Zimbabwe and two urban townships located approximately 80 km from Harare. 278 subjects (154 women, 174 rural), aged >60 years (range 60-92), living at home. subjects were selected by random cluster sampling. Diet was assessed by a food frequency questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements were body mass index (BMI), waist : hip ratio (WHR), triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness (SFT). Laboratory analysis included serum albumin, calcium, haemoglobin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), cholesterol, triglycerides, vitamin B12 and red blood cell folate levels. the staple diet was maize meal and vegetables; 74 (27%) ate a protein-containing meal less than once a week; 135 (49%) took milk less than once a week and 27% had serum Ca2+ < 2 mmol/l. The frequency of eating meat, milk, bread and fried food varied with income and education and declined with age. For all anthropometric measurements median values were higher in the urban area (BMI 21.1 vs 18.3, WHR 0.98 vs 0.9, triceps SFT 10 vs 6.7 mm; P < 0.001 for all) and related to the frequency of eating meat and fried food. The BMI was higher in those with more years of education. Within the rural area physical measurements were higher in a more prosperous area. Serum lipid concentrations were higher in urban residents (median cholesterol 4.4 vs 3.9 mmol/l, triglycerides 1.8 vs 1.5 mmol/l; P < 0.001 for both) and correlated with BMI, WHR and triceps SFT. Vitamin B12 concentrations were higher in urban residents, whereas folate concentrations were higher in rural residents. dietary patterns, anthropometric measurements and biochemical values in a group of randomly-selected elderly Zimbabweans are influenced by area of residence, age, income and educational level.