Dietary intakes and anthropometric data for poor elderly Nairobi women

Nutritional and anthropometric data were obtained for two groups of elderly women (x = 64, range 57–74 y) randomly selected from two different Nairobi low income areas. The very low (VL) income group, 113 women from the Kawangare/Kibagare slums had an income of ≤ $20Cd/mo, compared to ≤ $250Cd/mo for the low (L) income group, 88 women from Waithaka/Dagoreti estates. Dietary intakes were assessed quantitatively by four 24‐hr dietary recalls; anthropometric data were collected. Mean energy intake of group VL (1449 kcal) was lower (p ≤ 0.001) than that of group L (1712 kcal). Mean protein intake of group VL (41 g) was lower (p ≤ 0.05) than that of group L (52 g). For group VL, weight, body mass index, triceps skinfold thickness and arm muscle circumference were lower (p ≤ 0.001) than for group L. For group VL, nutrient density (intake/1000 kcal) for protein was low (29.2 g) and differed significantly (p ≤ 0.05) from that of group L (30.6 g). The following mean nutrient densities were significantly lower for group VL than group L: vitamin B₁₂ (p ≤ 0.001), zinc (p ≤ 0.05), calcium (p ≤ 0.001), and riboflavin (p ≤ 0.001). The dietary pattern of the slum dwellers adversely affected nutritional status. Findings indicate a significant health problem: quantity and quality of food available for elderly low income Nairobi women is severely limited with rapid urbanization.

Key words:

• Dietary intakes
• poor elderly Nairobi women
• urbanization

Notes

Present address: Dr. L. Ethangatta, P.O. Box 56032, Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa.

Address correspondence to: Dr. Z. Hawrysh, Department of Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Science, 2–06F Agriculture/Forestry Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2P5. Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone].