Food Intake among Older Adults with Food Insecurity in an Agricultural Settlement at Lubuk Merbau, Kedah

Abstract

Food insecurity is associated with an inadequate nutrient intake among older adults. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the food intake among older adults with food insecurity in an agricultural settlement, i.e. Felda Land Development Authority (FELDA) settlers at Lubuk Merbau, Kedah. A total of 70 older adults were selected as a subsample to record data on food supply for a week, from an original study (n = 289: mean age= 69.2 ± 7.4 years). This study was conducted through a house to house visit of which respondent was interview to get information on sociodemographic and food insecurity. Food intake was recorded for a week using food supply questionnaire. Food insecurity was assessed using Food Security Tool For the Elderly. Results indicated that 19.7% respondents had food insecurity. Energy intake was found to be higher among women with food insecurity (2329.0 ± 814 kcal/day) compared to respondents with food secured (1836 ± 447 kcal/day) (p < 0.05). However, after removing over reporters, the energy intake among both groups did not differ significantly (1890 ± 208 kcal/day and 1643 ± 233 kcal/day). Total intake from food groups of fat, oil, sugar and salt was higher among respondents with food insecurity (106.6 ± 60.0 g/day) as compared to those who were food secured (80.3 ± 30.1 g/day)(p < 0.05). In conclusion, food insecurity affected approximately a fifth of the respondents and associated with unhealthy diet with high in fat, oil, sugar and salt. There is a need to formulate intervention programme to improve the quality of diet of older adults at high risk of food insecurity.

DOI : http://dx.doi.org./10.17576/JSKM-2017-1502-14