Age-Appropriate Nutritional Knowledge, Practices and Psycho-Social Supports as Determinants of Wellness of the Elderly in Abeokuta Metropolis

Abstract

This study assessed the influence of age-appropriate nutritional knowledge, practices, and psychosocial support on the wellness of the elderly in Abeokuta Metropolis. It examined the levels of nutritional knowledge, practices, and psycho-social support among the elderly and their collective impact on wellness. Four research questions and one hypothesis were formulated to guide the study. A descriptive survey research design of the correlational type was employed, targeting 250 elderly individuals, with a sample size of 152 selected. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire with reliability indices of 0.72, 0.84, 0.71, and 0.86 for the constructs measured. The questionnaire was administered to elderly outpatients at health facilities, with assistance provided for illiterate participants. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis, and multiple regression tested the hypothesis. Findings revealed below-average age-appropriate nutritional knowledge and practices among participants, with an average wellness score of 49.30 out of 80. The independent variables collectively explained 62.1% of the variance in wellness scores. The study concluded that elderly individuals with adequate nutritional knowledge, appropriate practices, and sufficient psycho-social support experience significant improvements in their overall well-being. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended among others that, training programme on age-appropriate knowledge utilizing adult education principles and accessible mass media including community-based programs should be organized periodically for the elderly.