Assessment of health parameters in old age home: Dept. of MSc(FSN)
Assessment of health parameters in old age home was done by the students of Ⅲ semester of department of P.G studies in food science and nutrition on 10-1- 2022. The activity was conducted in Hongirana, A unit of Louis Mendonca memorial trust, Mangalore.
TARGET GROUP:
The nutritional assessment of the old home people of age group above 60 years was done by anthropometric measurements, clinical sign detection and dietary assessment. The anthropometric measurements that were used are:
- Height measurements
- Weight measurements
- Hip and waist measurements
The clinical sign analysis the parts of the body such as hair, face, eyes, lips, tongue, teeth, gums were examined to see if any abnormalities were present. In order to interpret the physical activity level of the individual, their daily physical activity was recorded and they were categorized into sedentary workers.
The dietary assessment was carried out by obtaining details about their dietary intake pattern using frequency of the food groups consumed and 24 hours diet recall. Based on the calculations their nutritional intake was interpreted.
Interpretation:
The results obtained after the assessment were statistically analysed. The diet survey conducted on old age people were belonged to poor economic status. The community nutrition program was conducted for old age people. It could be conducted due to deficiencies of micronutrients, which exhibited minor clinical health problems among these old age people. The target group were given well balanced diet. They were given both plant sources and animal sources.
Outcome:
The study was conducted to show that old age people, were having well balanced diet and had minor clinical problems.
ORGANISING NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAMME AT COMMUNITY LEVEL
Nutrition education programme was carried out for the old age people of Hongirana old age home on 10-01-2022 after interpreting the results of the study conducted on assessment of the nutritional status for the same population in order to improve their dietary pattern and lifestyle changes.
The nutrition education programme was carried out by using few teaching aids such as
- Placards
- Posters
- Pamphlets
All the teaching aids were displayed with dietary suggestions, awareness of deficiency of micronutrients and a nutrition education programme was organised successfully.
