ABSTRACT
This study investigated the public perception of dietary modification and its role in promoting
health and well-being among aging individuals in okehi local Government Area of Kogi State,
Nigeria. As the aging population increases, nutritional management becomes a critical
component of healthy aging. Dietary modification plays a vital role in preventing malnutrition
managing chronic disease, improving physical and mental functions, and enhancing the overall
quality of life in elderly individuals. Despite growing evidence on its benefits, public
understanding and adoption of dietary changes remain inconsistent, especially in rural
communities. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional design using a structured
questionnaires administered to a sample of 216 respondents. The sample was determined using
the taro Yamane formula, based on a target population of 470 elderly individuals in the area.
Data were analyzed manually using frequency tables, percentages, and bar chart in line with
study objectives. The health belief model served as the theoretical framework, emphasizing
perceived benefits, barriers, and cues to action regarding dietary modification
Finding revealed that a majority of respondents perceived dietary modification as essential to
improving quality of life, boosting energy and managing chronic illness. However, several
factors such as economic constraints, cultural practices, limitations were identified as barriers
to effective dietary changes. It was also found that although many aging individuals are aware
of the benefits, misconceptions and traditional food preferences continue to influence their
dietary habits. The study concludes that while awareness exists, there is a gap between
knowledge and practice due to social, cultural, and economic challenges. It recommends
increased public health education on nutrition tailored to the elderly, greater involvement of
health professionals in dietary consoling and community-based interventions that provide
affordable access to nutritious that provide roles and gender differences in dietary perception
among older adults
REFERENCES
Adewale, T.O, Olowokere, S.A and Alabi S.A (2018). Nutrition knowledge and dietary habits
among adults in south western Nigeria Nigeria journal of clinical practice, 21(5) 646-
653
American Journal Of Clinical Nutrition (2020). Global nutrition and health. The role of
nutrition interventions in reducing burden American journal of clinical nutrition 12(1),
17-25
Baker L.A (2021). Nutrition interventions and public health strategized for improving adult
health outcomes: International Journals of nutrition and public health 9(2), 101-110
Bleich, SN, Veracammen, Zatz,. L.Y. and Weinar o (2018). Impact of package labeling in
food
choices and intake. American journal of preventive medicine, 54(2), 124-132
Black, R.E (2020). Global burden of disease in children: malnutrition , infections and
mortality The lancet 376 ( 9745) 2130-2139
Branca, F. (2021). Adult Malnutrition: A Global Health Concern. Journal of Clinical. Medicine,
10(3), 551. doi: 10.3390/jcm10030551
Cavito K and Kegley C (2019). Improving nutrition knowledge; the role of community based
health education journal of nutrition education and behaviors, 51960 615-622
Edgar SR (2018). Rural nutrition education programs; examination effectiveness in increasing
knowledge and dietary habits International Journal of Environmental Research &
Public Health 15(7) 1453
Francesco, M. (2020). Malnutrition in Older Adults: A Systematic Review of Prevalence, Risk
Factors, and Clinical Outcomes. Nutrients, 12(15), 4231. doi: 10.3390/nu12154231
Gladwell M (2021). Outlines the role of nutrition in success and development: new York; little
brown and company
Haddad Pineda, C, and Barnett (2020). Nutrition, food system and global food security;
emerging challenges and opportunities Global food security 6, 25-34
Hawks, S (2020). Nutrition interventions and public health nutrition; addressing global
challenges international journal of public health nutrition 8(2) 39-49
Isokpunwu, D.A, Ologun and Olugbade (2017). Dietary patterns and nutrition awareness
among rural adults in Nigeria public health nutrition 20(12), 2223- 2230
Kellett, J. (2019). Malnutrition in hospitalized patients: A systematic review and meta-
analysis. Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, 40(6), 913-924. doi:
10.1177/0148607116653714
Kiran, D. (2019). Assessment of Malnutrition among Adults in Urban Slums: A Cross-Sectional
Study. Journal of Nutrition and Health Sciences, 7(2), 1-8.
Kolasa km (2020). Dietary habits and their impact on health outcomes; a public health
nutrition perception Journal of the Academic of Nutrition and dietetics 116 (3) 487- 48
Kuruppuarachchi, A. (2020). Prevalence and Determinants of Malnutrition among Adults in Sri
Lanka. Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, 2015, 1-9. doi: 10.1155/2015/817624
Mehta, S. (2019). Prevalence and Predictors of Malnutrition among Adults in India: A
Systematic Review. Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, 26, 1-13. doi:
10.1186/s12937-019-0436-6
Murray, C.J, Heller, J.D, Anderson and Davis MC (2019).; The state of global; a perspective
on the role of nutrition in disease prevention and heath promotion The lancet,
382( 9899), 2130-2130
Ndiokwelu, C. (2020). Prevalence and Factors Associated with Malnutrition among Adults in
Nigeria. Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, 28, 1-9. doi: 10.1186/s12937-020-