Elderly under nutritional stress: a seasonal study on food consumption and nutritional status in Kenya

Abstract

The effects of seasonal changes in food availability on the nutritional status of elderly subjects living in smallholder rural households in Nakuru district, Kenya was investigated over a 15-month period involving 41 subjects (23 women and 18 men), within the age range of 65–74 years. Dietary intakes and body weights were measured on a monthly basis. Large interseasonal weight changes were observed, in which the men had a mean weight loss in the lean season of 4.0kg (about 7% of body weight) compared to 1.7kg (3%) in women. The dietary intakes were also found to be influenced by seasonal changes in household food availability, with significant differences between the lean months (6.9 MJ or 1651kcal) and the postharvest period (8.8MJ or 2105 kcal). The intake of energy was relatively high but not enough to maintain energy balance during periods of heavy physical activities, irrespective of food availability during the postharvest months. The findings indicate the need to review the levels of energy expenditure in the elderly as the current recommended levels may be too low to meet the energy needs of active elderly populations especially in the developing countries.