Abstract:
The study sought to examine the nutritional practices and the health of the elderly in
Ateitu and Winneba Zongo Communities in the Effutu Municipality. A sample of 100
elderly persons was selected for the study using the snowball sampling technique.
Questionnaire, focus group discussion and observations were the instruments used in
data collection. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for windows, version
16 was used in the data analysis. Responses from respondents were converted into
frequencies and percentages for analysis to establish the extent to which the elderly in
the area of study, take their meals and the effects on these meals on their health status.
The main findings were that elderly citizens of Atietu and Winneba Zongo
communities in the Effutu Municipality took breakfast and supper regularly and that
about 4% of them did not take lunch mainly for financial reasons. Breakfast and
supper were usually taken fresh while lunch usually consisted of pre - heated food.
The elderly citizen of Atietu and Winneba Zongo communities had indigenous
knowledge about nutrition and the relationship between the food they took and their
health. For that reason, they made adequate provision of nutritious diet in their homes
thus reducing the occurrence of diet related ailments among them. Based on the
findings of the study, it is recommended among others that the Department of Home
Economics Education, UEW, undertake an outreach or public education programme
from time to time in this neighborhoods to sensitize the people, not only the elderly,
on their diet, especially on the need to eat balanced diet and also to avoid overheating.
The few elderly that did not eat regularly must be encouraged to eat thrice daily.
Description:
A thesis in the Department of Home Economics Education, Faculty of Science
Education, submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, University of
Education, Winneba in partial fulfillment of the requirements for award of
degree of MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY IN HOME ECONOMICS
EDUCATION.
SEPTEMBER, 2017