The number of older persons is on the increase and nutrition and health risks tend to increase with age.The study evaluated the nutritional status of community dwelling older persons using anthropometric and biochemical indices.The study was a cross sectional one carried out in semi-urban and rural communities comprising 600 older community dwellers aged ≥ 65years selected using multi-stage random sampling. Anthropometric status was assessed by body mass index (BMI), mid upper arm circumference (MUAC), waist-hip ratio (WHR), waist circumference (WC) and calf circumference (CC). Biochemical indices of serum haemoglobin (Hb), albumin, ferritin, total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein (LDL), C - reactive protein (CRP) were assessed for 25% of the subjects using standard procedure/methods and compared with recommended cut-off. Most (62.7%) had normal BMI, while 21.33% were overweight. Majority (74%) were at risk of heart disease with WHR. About 75.6% had normal MUAC and 24.33% were malnourished. Some (69.5%) had normal WC and 30.5% had increased risk of abdominal fat adiposity. About 56.2% had normal CC, 43.8% were at risk of malnutrition. There was high prevalence of anaemia as 78% had low Hb. Majority (81%) had serum ferritin levels below normal range. About 43.3% had normal albumin level, 56.7% were within abnormal range of either < 35 or > 50g/l. Most (82.7%) were in lower risk category (< 1mg/l) of CRP. Majority (82%) had desirable total cholesterol, 53.3% had optimal LDL levels. Significant relationship (p<0.01) existed between Hb and ferritin for males (r = 0.794) and females (r = 0.839). Negative relationship was noted for Hb and CRP. There was positive association (p< 0.01) between BMI and CC, MUAC, WC; as well as between TC and LDL. Most of the subjects had normal BMI; many were at risk of heart disease with WHR and there was high prevalence of anaemia.

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Background: Older adults require proper dietary and lifestyle modification to reduce the risk of age-related disorders. Aims: The study assessed the dietary pattern in relation to the lipid profile of older adults (≥ 65years) in Dekina LGA of Kogi State. Subjects and Methods: This cross-sectional study design employed multi-stage random sampling to select 150 older persons. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the Kogi State Ministry of Health Lokoja, Kogi State (MOH. /KGS/1376/1/96). Food frequency questionnaire was used to elicit information on the frequency of food consumption, food consumption pattern was grouped into high-risk food and low risk foods. Lipid profile was assessed and categorized using standard procedure. All analysis were done using IBM SPSS Version 21. Results: Results revealed the frequent (> 5 times / week) consumption of staple crops across the various food groups by a good number of the respondents; maize (52.7 %), sorghum (34.0), millet (38.0 %), fish (81.4 %), crayfish (25.5 %), beans (22.7 %) bamabara nut (27.4 %), mango (31.3 %), cashew (27.4 %), orange (23.3 %), amarantus ‘alefo’ leaf (22.1 %) and palm oil (91.4 %). There was no significant relationship between high-risk foods consumed by the respondents and all the lipid profile parameters. A negative non-significant relationship (p > 0.01) existed between all lipid parameters and low risk foods consumed by the respondents except for triglycerides. Conclusion: The respondents’ dietary intake of low-risk foods is protective of nutrition related disorders. Improved nutrition education geared towards improving the consumption of low-risk foods and rear intake of high risk (processed) foods should be encouraged. Keywords: Dietary pattern, lipid profile, high/low risk foods, older persons, nutrition related diseases.

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Objectives This study aimed to analyze the reporting/transmission of COVID-19 related nutrition and health information by Nigerian newspapers during the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods This secondary/desk research design employed a quantitative content analysis of all articles from two widely read national newspapers published in April and May 2020. Inter-coder reliability test was done by two independent coders to improve the consistency and validity of findings. The unit of analysis comprised all COVID-19 information reported on the news stories, features, editorials and opinions column. Results Results revealed that COVID-19 information received a fair (more than a tenth) coverage of all articles reported in Nigerian media. COVID 19 statistics/updates (44.8–53.5%) and food/palliative distribution/support (44.2–44.8%) dominated the news article column of Nigerian media, with a little attention (2.3–10.4) on health and nutrition awareness/sensitization. It was observed that COVID-19 reports on feature article segment of Nations and Punch newspapers bothered on covid-19 protocol enforcement (26.8%), COVID-19 impact on international relations (9.7%), COVID-19 new waves/strain awareness/description (7.3%), health sector role in COVID-19 containment (9.8%) whereas COVID-19 and food/nutrition recorded minimal appearance (4.9%). Food/nutrition-related COVID-19 reports were missing on the front page, editorial, international news and advertisement/business segment of the reviewed newspapers. Conclusions Overall data revealed that this COVID-19 information were predominantly COVID-19 statistics/case updates, food/palliative distribution update, impact of COVID-19 on the economy and other sectors while in-depth reporting of health and nutrition related COVID-19 awareness was lacking. Prompt sensitization and education on emerging issues of public health is the ethical responsibility of the print media to the public. Funding Sources None.