DIETARY INTAKES AND ANTHROPOMETRIC DATA FOR POOR ELDERLY NAIROBI WOMEN

Nutritional and anthropometric data were obtained for two groups of el derly women ((x) over bar = 64, range 57-74 y) randomly selected from two different Nairobi low income areas. The very low (VL) income group , 113 women from the Kawangare/Kibagare slums had an income of less th an or equal to $20Cd/mo, compared to less than or equal to $250Cd/mo f or the low (L) income group, 88 women from Waithaka/Dagoreti estates. Dietary intakes were assessed quantitatively by four 24-hr dietary rec alls; anthropometric data were collected. Mean energy intake of group VL (1449 kcal) was lower (p less than or equal to 0.001) than that of group L (1712 kcal). Mean protein intake of group VL (41 g) was lower (p less than or equal to 0.05) than that of group L (52 g). For group VL, weight, body mass index, triceps skinfold thickness and arm muscle circumference were lower (p < 0.001) than for group L. For group VL, nutrient density (intake/1000 kcal) for protein was low (29.2 g) and d iffered significantly (p less than or equal to 0.05) from that of grou p L (30.6 g). The following mean nutrient densities were significantly lower for group VL than group L: vitamin B-12 (p less than or equal t o 0.001), zinc (p < 0.05), calcium (p less than or equal to 0.001), an d riboflavin (p less than or equal to 0.001). The dietary pattern of t he slum dwellers adversely affected nutritional status. Findings indic ate a significant health problem: quantity and quality of food availab le for elderly low income Nairobi women is severely limited with rapid urbanization.