ABSTRACT

The study validated the use of height proxies for body mass index in determining the anthropometric status of the elderly in Umuahia north and south LGAs. A total of 200 respondents were selected using a multi-stage random sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on their socio-economic characteristics. The results revealed that a little above half (53%) of the respondents were females. Majority (34%) were active in farming. The estimated monthly income of most of the respondents ( 27.5% and 25%) was within the range of less than N5000 and N5000- N15999, respectively. As much as 49% of the respondents got other sources of income from their children. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the mean weights of the male elderly (71.52±10.7) and the female elderly (70.01±12.8).  The men were taller than the women, as the mean standing height of the elderly men (1.620±0.11) was significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of the elderly women (70.01±12.8). There was a significant relationship (P<0.05) between the BMI derived from standing height and the BMI derived from armspan, knee height and sitting height in both the elderly men and women. Using the height proxies (armspan, knee height and sitting height measurements), regression equations was derived to predict the actual height of the elderly men and women, as follows: men standing ht=1.23+0.25 (armspan); women standing ht=1.35+0.14(armspan);men standing ht=1.36+0.5(knee height);women standing ht=1.43+0.29(knee height); men standing ht=1.47+0.23(sitting height) and women standing ht=1.48+0.15(sitting height). Armspan, knee height and sitting height measurements are useful alternatives to height measurements in the elderly people. There was no significant relationship (p>0.05) between the socio economic variables and the BMI of the elderly men and women. Validating the derived formula for those with older age groups and possibly other ethnic groups in Nigeria, for greater utility of these proxy indicators of height is recommended.