Nutritional status of rural elderly of Dharwad district: An intervention study

Abstract

Elderly population are distinctively predisposed to physical and mental health problems. Nutritional interventions could play a part in the enhancement of quality of life of elderly. The present study was conducted to know the nutritional status of elderly in the rural community of Dharwad district of Karnataka and to provide intervention and to assess the impact of intervention on nutritional status of elderly. Study was conducted during the year 2018– 2019 at University of Agricultural Sciences Dharwad, as a part of the project on “Intervention for Active Ageing” funded by University Plan Grants. A sample of 161 elderly of 60+ years were participated. Findings revealed that 66.50 per cent were at risk of malnutrition, 22.40 per cent were having normal nutritional status and 11.20 per cent were malnourished. The educational intervention programme was provided to the elderly it was found to be effective in improving the nutritional status among rural elderly.