Nutrition Related Knowledge, Awareness and Attitude of Geriatric Patients - A Pilot Study

Abstract

Nutrition knowledge may influence dietary behavior directly or through nutrition related attitudes. Dietary behaviors further become dietary patterns and influence one’s nutrient intake. Therefore, understanding people’s nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and behavior is the basis for nutrition education. The aim of this study was to evaluate nutrition related knowledge and attitude amongst elderly people visiting Rural Dental College & Hospital, Loni, Maharashtra. An observational study was conducted to evaluate change in nutrition related knowledge (NRK) and nutrition related attitude (NRA) pre and post nutrition education. A general nutrition knowledge questionnaire was formulated based on ICMR guidelines for nutrition in elderly and Nutrition awareness was assessed using a self-formulated questionnaire based on choice of everyday foods. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 21 for Windows (Armonk, NY: IBM corp). Significant difference was observed in NRK and NRA of geriatric patients pre and post nutrition education. Higher NRK and more positive NRA’s were associated with higher level of education, younger age, and philosophical mental attitude. Nutrition education revealed positive impact on NRK and NRA's indicating the need for educational intervention and periodic reinforcement of nutrition knowledge as a means of lifestyle modification and health status improvement.