title: Body composition and nutrient intake of hypertensive elders and middle-aged men and women in Nigeria.
abstract: Body composition of eighty hypertensive patients (43 middle-aged, 30-59 years and 37 elders, 60-80 years) was determined by anthropometry alongside their dietary intake. The mean body weight and height of female elders were 54.1 +/- 14.6 kg and 157.0 +/- 7.0 cm while that of male elders were 61.8 +/- 13.5 kg and 167.1 +/- 9.0 cm. Corresponding values for middle-aged subjects were also determined. The middle-aged subjects were heavier and taller than the elders in both sexes. Among the elders BMI values 21.7 (females) and 22.1 (males) were normal, but the female had higher percentage body fat (28.0 +/- 0.1%) than males (20.8 +/- 5.2%). Other body composition parameters determined included lean body mass, optimum body weight, body water, skin-fold thickness and arm muscle diameter. BMI was significantly correlated with high blood pressure. The mean energy and nutrient intake of the subjects were inadequate except for the female elders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Home Economics and Nutrition, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria. onimawoig@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: Ignatius A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Onimawo
authors.forename: Chinyere A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Echendu
authors.forename: Udodi M
authors.initials: UM
authors.lastname: Njoku
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology; D000886:Anthropometry; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria