Health status and dietary behavior of the elderly in the area of Nong Hi Sub-district Municipality, Nong Hi District, Roi Et Province

Abstract

This descriptive research aims to study health status, quality of life and dietary behavior of the elderly in area of Nong Hi Sub-district Municipality, Nong Hi District, Roi Et Province. Conducting the study on 1,067 elderly people, who met inclusion criteria (90.3 % of elderly population). Interview and evaluation forms were used for data collection; data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.                The result was found that regarding the health status, the top 3 cases of chronic disease were high blood pressure, diabetes and joint / bone disease (34.6%, 18.1%, 22.8%). Most of them were female (60.2%), mean of aged 69.9 years (SD±7.8). They live with families (51.1%),61 persons were alone.  5 were completely dependent, 12 were highly dependent. Most of them had high blood pressure, diabetes and joint / bone disease (34.6%, 18.1%, 22.8% respectively), BMI lower than normal (60.8%) and normal (34.9%). They had good quality of life (63.8%), moderate (21.6%) and very good (11.4%). As for dietary behavior, most of them cook their own meals, but often eat sweet, greasy and salty foods, and sometimes grilled. They consume more than 60% of foods prepared with MSG frequently up to regularly. Overall, nearly 20% of people had dietary behavior that can affect their health and disease often to regular, such as coconut milk dessert, soft drink, toasted food, charred grills, fried foods, including adding fish sauce to foods before eating and cooked with MSG (42.1%), There were people who eat less than a half kilogram of fruits and vegetables (27.8%).               Therefore, activities that promote good health and quality of life should be organized along with changing dietary behaviors and giving opportunities for relatives or caregivers to learn.