![Sample our Food Science & Technology journals, sign in here to start your access, latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5936/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Food-Science-Technology.jpg"})
Abstract
Nutritional data for two groups of low income elderly women (X; = 64, range 57–74 years) in Nairobi, Kenya were compared. Group I (n = 113), slum dwellers, had an income of ≤20 Cd per month; Group II (n = 88), poor urban area inhabitants, had an income of ≤170 Cd per month. Dietary intakes were assessed quantitatively by four 24-h dietary recalls; anthropometric and biochemical data were obtained. Twenty-one women (16% of Group I; 3% of Group II) were classified as having protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) based on abnormal anthropometric measurements or low serum albumin concentration. The malnutrition was marasmic-like; the anthropometric measurements (body weight, triceps skinfold thickness (TSF), mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC)) of the PEM Group were lower (P ≤ 0.05) than those of Groups I and II. The PEM Group was older (X = 68 years), had lost more teeth, and had more subnormal values than Groups I and II for: serum albumin, hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCHC, MCH, serum transferrin and serum iron. Inferior diets were a contributing factor. Mean energy and protein intakes of the PEM Group were low: 1471 kcal day−1 (26 kcal kg−1) and 42 g day−1 (0.79 g kg−1), respectively. The main protein sources were vegetables (48%) and cereals (36%); only 6 g protein was of high quality. Group II mean protein and energy intakes were greater (P ≤ 0.05, P ≤ 0.01) than those of the PEM Group and mean dairy product intake was higher (P ≤ 0.001). The PEM Group and Group I had low mean energy intakes and an unsatisfactory dietary pattern; they consumed less meat (P ≤ 0.01) and less fat (P ≤ 0.001) than Group II. For the PEM Group dietary intakes of energy, fat and sugar were significantly correlated with TSF and MAMC; for the PEM Group monthly income was significantly correlated with weight, BMI, TSF and MAMC. Data suggest that elderly women living in Nairobi slums are at high risk of malnutrition; one of the factors contributing to the problem is inadequate food intake.