Factors Associated with Food Insecurity among the Elderly in Nsit Ubuim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
[1]
Ekot M., Department of Home Economics, Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria.
[2]
Udofia U., Department of Home Economics, Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria.
The study investigated the factors associated with food insecurity among the elderly persons in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Four research questions answered in the study were: What are the socioeconomic characteristics of the elderly? What is food insecurity status of the Elderly in the study area? What is the level of food insecurity among the elderly in the local government area? What are the factors influencing food insecurity status of the elderly in the area? Descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The population of the study comprised all the elderly persons in Nsit Ubium L. G. A. out of whom a convenience sample of One Hundred and Sixty (160) was selected by purposive sampling method to participate in the study. A structured questionnaire titled Food Insecurity among the Elderly Questionnaire (FIAEQ) which contained researcher developed questions and questions adapted and reviewed from Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) was used for data collection. The data collected were analyzed using both inferential and descriptive statistical tools such as frequency, percentages and means. Results revealed that majority of the elderly were severely food insecure. The study identified poverty, physical impairment, lack of potable water, health problems, lack of assistance in ADL, depression, and isolation as factors contributing to food insecurity among the elderly. Based on the findings, the study recommended among others that family members should be more alive to their responsibility of providing filial support to elderly parents/members, while the government should improve the welfare of the elderly by instituting schemes such as social security, free medical treatment, and poverty alleviation programs.
Elderly, Food, Poverty, Insecurity, Status, Nigeria
[1]
Sanusi, R. A., Badejo, C. A. and Yusuf, B. O. (2006). Measuring Household food insecurity in selected local government areas of Lagos and Ibadan, Nigerian. Parkistan Journal of Nutrition 5: 62-67.
[2]
Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) (2008). An Introduction to the Basic Concepts of Food Security. Food Security Information for Action Practical Guides. Retrieved from: http://www.fao.org/docrep/013/al936e/al936e00.pdf
[3]
World Health Organization, 2014 World Health Organization (2014). Definition of an older or elderly person: Proposed Working Definition of an Older Person in Africa for the MDS Project. Health statistics and information systems. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/healthinfo/survey/ageingdefnolder/en/
[4]
Okumagba, P. O. (2011). Family support for the elderly in Delta State of Nigeria. Stud. Home Comm. Sci, 5(1), 21-27.
[5]
Cook, John T., and Frank, D. A. (2008). “Food security, poverty, and human development in the united states. Annals of the New York Academy of Science 1136:193–209.
[6]
Mwaniki, A. (2003). The Utilization of Locally Grown Plant Materials in the Production of an Intervention Formulation for Malnourished Children in Marginal Areas. The Case of Makindu Location Makueni District. Master’s Thesis University of Nairobi
[7]
Otaha, I. J. (2013). Food Insecurity in Nigeria: Way Forward. African Research Review, 7(4), 26-35.
[8]
Grosvenor, B. and Smolin, A. (2002). Nutrition from science to life. Philadelphia: Harcourt College Publishers.
[9]
Lee, J. S. And Frogillo, A. (2002). Nutrition and Health consequences are associated with food insecurity among U.S elderly persons. Journal of Nutrition 131:1503–1509.
[10]
Quandt, S. A., Arcury, T. A., McDonald, J., Ronny, A. B. and Vitolins, M. Z (2001). Meaning and Management of Food Security among Rural Elders. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 20(3), 356-376.
[11]
Glasgow, N. (1993). Poverty among rural elders: Trends, context and directions for policy, Journal of applied Gerontology, 12, 302–319.
[12]
Van Nostrand, J. F. (1993). Common beliefs about the rural elderly: What do National Data tell us? National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Statistics, 3(28), 1–79.
[13]
Coates, J., Swindale, A, and Bilinsky, P. (2007). Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFAIS) for Measurement of Food Access: Indicator Guide (v.3) Washington D. C: Food and Nutrition Technical Assistance project. Academy of Education. Retrieved from: http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/eufao-fsi4dm/doc-training/hfias.pdf
[14]
Ekpeyong, R. E (2007). Food security urbanization and poverty in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Retrieved from: http//www.docstac.com/doc/24868729/FOODSecurityUrbanization
[15]
Babatunde, R. O., Omotesho, O. A. and Sholotan, O. S. (2007), Socio-economic characteristics and food security status of farming household in Kwara State, North-Central Nigeria. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 6(1), 49-58.
[16]
Koyenikan, M. (2010). Gender analysis of participatory needs assessment of Emeroke community of Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria: implications for agricultural extension interventions. Gender and Behaviour. Preview Retrieved from: https://www.questia.com/library/journal/1P3-2036997201/gender-analysis-of-participatory-needs-assessment
[17]
Adepoju, A. O. and Adejare, K. A. (2013). Food insecurity status of rural households during the post-planting season in Nigeria. Journal of Agriculture and Sustainability, 4(1), 16-35.
[18]
Rahim, S., Saeed, D., Rasool, G. A., and Saeed, G. (2011), Factors influencing household food security status. Food and Nutrition Sciences (Scientific Research), 31-34.
[19]
Iorlamen, T. R., Abu, G. A. and Lawal, W. L. (2013), Comparative analysis on socio-economic factors between food secure and food insecure households among urban households in Benue state, Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Science, 4(2), 63-68.
[20]
Boyle, M. A. (2003). Nutrition Now (3rd ed.). Australia: Wadsworth Thomson.
[21]
Nord, M. (2002). Food security is high for Elderly Households. Food Review, 25(2), 19–24.
[22]
Ekot, M. O. and Inyang E. S. (2007). Hunger and food insecurity: implications for Nigerian families. Lagos Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 5, 95-109.
[23]
Wolfe, W. S., Frongillo, E. A. and Valois, P. (2003). Understanding the experience of food insecurity by elders suggests ways to improve its measurement. Journal of Nutrition, 133, 2762-2769.
