ABSTRACT

The importance of beverages as foods and their effects on nutrient intake have recently been the focus of intense scrutiny. Today, beverage consumption seems to have more influence on the diet and nutrient intakes of people especially elderly ones. This is why the study assessed the beverage consumption and nutrient intake of the elderly in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia state. The study employed the use of descriptive and cross-sectional design. The study population consisted of more than 10,000 elderly persons in the six towns namely; Ubakala, Amakama, Nsirimo, Ezeleke, Omaegwu and Old Umuahia in Umuahia South L.G.A. The study employed the use of multistage sampling techniques to select 344 elderly persons from the six towns in Umuahia South L.G.A. Data for the study was collected with the aid of a well-structured questionnaire which was validated by lecturers in the department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics. Descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage, mean and standard deviation) were used to analyse the socio-demographic/economic characteristics and a 24 hours dietary recall was used to determine the nutrient intake of the elderly persons. The data obtained were presented using frequency and percentage. The study found out that there were more females (60.8%) compared to male respondents (39.2%). Majority (57.8%) of the respondents had no formal education, while (39.2%) were civil servants, also more than half (55.2%) had monthly income ranging from N51,000 to N70,000.  Majority (69.2%) of the respondents depend on their salaries. Vast majority (69.2%) of the respondents are unsatisfied with their eating habit. The result also revealed that (77%) of the respondents consume non-alcoholic beverages, while (37%) of the respondents consume soft drinks more and (55.2%) daily consume beverages. The respondent’s energy and carbohydrates intake were adequate meeting the RNI recommendations while other nutrients consumed by the respondents were less than the RNI recommendations. There is need for a functional policy on the care of the elderly in Nigeria in order to improve their nutrition, health and general wellbeing. Interventions to address unhealthy beverage intake among elderly persons should also include policies that regulate the use of alcohol among the elderly. Health professionals should target interventions promoting adequate consumption of healthy beverages.