Factors Related to Nutritional Status of The Elderly in Tha Pha Pum Sub District, Mae Hong Son Province

Abstract

This research aimed to study the nutritional status of older adults, the factors associated with their nutritional status, and approaches to promoting nutrition among older adults in Tha Pha Pum Subdistrict, Mae La Noi District, Mae Hong Son Province. The sample used in the quantitative study consisted of 214 older adults. Data were collected using questionnaires. Statistical methods used for data analysis included descriptive statistics and the chi-square test. For the qualitative study, data were collected through focus group discussions involving 10 stakeholders related to elderly nutrition in the study area, and analyzed using content analysis. The quantitative results revealed that most older adults were female, aged 60–69 years, and had a normal nutritional status. The majority had a moderate level of nutritional knowledge and a high overall level of attitudes toward food consumption. Enabling factors, reinforcing factors, and overall dietary behaviors were also found to be at a high level. The analysis of factors associated with nutritional status showed that gender, age, ethnicity, occupation, underlying diseases, and the number of remaining teeth were significantly associated with nutritional status at the 0.05 level. The qualitative findings indicated that most older adults prepared and consumed traditional local foods. However, access to food sources was difficult in remote areas. Many older adults tended to repeatedly consume the same types of food, and some lived alone, which could lead to inadequate nutritional intake. Therefore, it is recommended to develop a sustainable community food system and encourage the use of village health volunteers or community volunteers to conduct home visits in order to monitor and perform preliminary assessments of the nutritional status of older adults.