Food consumption behaviors and nutrition status of the elderly in Na-o sub-district, Muang district, Loei province

Abstract

The objectives of this survey were to investigate food consumption behaviors and nutrition status of the elderly in Na-o sub-district, Muang district, Loei province. There were 281 subjects. A interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection between July and December 2016. Frequency and percentage were used for data analysis. The results showed that the majority of subjects consumed 3 meals a day (98.2%) and had no snack during the day (66.2%). They liked tasteless foods (85.1%) and boiled foods (39.9%). They had the same meals as their family (97.2%). They always had sticky rice (94.0%) and fish (84.3%). Sometimes they had pork without removing fat or pork rib (35.2%). They rarely had seafood (63.0%) and nuts (55.5%). They usually had soy drink (27.8%) and had whole milk sometimes (34.9%). They always had red vegetables (46.3%) and usually had green and yellow vegetables (56.2% and 37.7%). They usually had low sugar fruits (39.9%) and rarely had dessert (53.4%). They used vegetable oil for cooking (46.3%). They rarely had coconut milk (55.5%). They always used seasoning such as fish sauce, salt, fermented fish sauce, and monosodium glutamate (>80.0%). In addition, the results showed that subjects had normal weight (42.7%), followed by obesity class I (28.1%), and overweight (24.6%). Fifty three percent of those had an abnormal waist circumferences.