Gender Difference In Functional Status And Dietary Habits In Older Persons (~6oyears) In Ikwuano Local Government Area, Abia State

ABSTRACT

Deteriorations in functional status are on the increase among older adults and these are affected by the dietary habits. This study was conducted in Ikwuano local government area using 200 respondents (100 males and 100 females) who were randomly selected older persons (>60 years) to assess the gender difference in functional status and dietary habits. A structured questionnaire was used in eliciting their socio economic characteristics and dietary habits while Barthel scale was used to analyze the functional status of older persons in the study area. Data collected was analyzed using statistical package for social science (SPSS), frequency and percentage, Chi square test was used to establish relationship between variables and significance was judged at