Universal Journal of Public Health Vol. 11(5), pp. 761 - 769
DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2023.110526
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Gender Differences in Food Consumption Patterns among Elderly Outpatients in Dhaka, Bangladesh – A Cross Sectional Study

Mohammad Abduz Zaher ¹, Marjia Sultana ², Sonia Zebsyn ³, Progati Bakshi ⁴, Towhid Hasan ², Abu Naim Mohammad Bazlur Rahim ⁵, Shireen Nigar ⁶, A. K. Obidul Huq ^5,*
1 Institute of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
² Department of Food Technology and Nutrition Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, Bangladesh
³ Department of Home Economics, National University, Bangladesh
⁴ Department of Food and Agroprocess Engineering, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Bangladesh
⁵ Department of Food Technology and Nutritional Science, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Bangladesh
⁶ Department of Nutrition and Food Technology, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Bangladesh

ABSTRACT

Healthy life expectancy in elderly people largely depends on their dietary behavior. This study aimed to investigate the gender differences in food consumption patterns among elderly outpatients in a renowned hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh. A total of 85 elderly outpatients (56 male and 29 female) from the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) participated in this descriptive cross-sectional study. A convenience sampling technique was employed to choose the respondents, and a pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to collect socioeconomic, anthropometric and dietary information. A seven-day food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to collect the consumption frequencies of 11 food groups. Female outpatients were observed to be significantly more malnourished than their male counterparts. On the contrary, male outpatients were significantly more overweight and obese than female respondents. The prevalence of chicken and sea fish consumption was significantly higher among female elderly outpatients. In contrast, the prevalence of organ meat, milk, colored fruits and colored vegetables consumption was higher among male counterparts. Animal food items were preferable among both genders compared to vegetables. Male elderly outpatients were observed to consume foods from different food groups regularly. Conversely, regular consumption of food from various groups was less prevalent among female elderly outpatients. The findings of this study suggested that gender differences affect the food consumption patterns of elderly outpatients, thereby influencing their nutritional status. However, strategic management and proper nutritional education may lessen the gender differences among them regarding their food consumption patterns.

KEYWORDS
Dietary Habits, Gender Differences, Food Consumption Pattern, Elderly, Food Frequency Questionnaire

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Mohammad Abduz Zaher , Marjia Sultana , Sonia Zebsyn , Progati Bakshi , Towhid Hasan , Abu Naim Mohammad Bazlur Rahim , Shireen Nigar , A. K. Obidul Huq , "Gender Differences in Food Consumption Patterns among Elderly Outpatients in Dhaka, Bangladesh – A Cross Sectional Study," Universal Journal of Public Health, Vol. 11, No. 5, pp. 761 - 769, 2023. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2023.110526.

(b). APA Format:
Mohammad Abduz Zaher , Marjia Sultana , Sonia Zebsyn , Progati Bakshi , Towhid Hasan , Abu Naim Mohammad Bazlur Rahim , Shireen Nigar , A. K. Obidul Huq (2023). Gender Differences in Food Consumption Patterns among Elderly Outpatients in Dhaka, Bangladesh – A Cross Sectional Study. Universal Journal of Public Health, 11(5), 761 - 769. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2023.110526.