title: Physical activity level, nutritional intake, functional status and quality of life of geriatric individuals in Lagos, South-West, Nigeria: a cross sectional survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Participation in physical activity (PA) and healthy nutrition are important factors that affects muscle and bone strength and the resultant functioning in the activities of daily living (ADL) skills including the overall quality of life (QoL) of geriatric individuals. However, the relationships between all these parameters are yet to be fully documented and studies from developing countries are lacking.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to investigate the relationships between PA level, frequency of nutritional intake of food rich in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, vitamin D and the basic ADL, instrumental ADL and QoL of geriatric individuals in Lagos, Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study involving 394 geriatric individuals. A combination of standardized questionnaires which assessed the socio-demographic parameters, PA level, frequency of intake of food rich in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, vitamin D, ADL skills, and QoL of the geriatric individuals was used. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson's chi-square.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The highest proportion (35.5%) of participating geriatric individuals was at the active PA level. PA level was statistically associated with QoL, basic and instrumental ADL, (X2 = 199.57, p = 0.001; X2 = 87.07, p = 0.000; and X2 = 164.53, p = 0.001 respectively). There was also an association between frequency of intake of food rich in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, vitamin D and the basic ADL (X2 = 97.43, p = 0.001), instrumental ADL (X2 = 151.56, p = 0.001) and QoL (X2 = 250.21, p = 0.001) of the studied geriatric individuals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study demonstrated that an increase in PA level and regular intake of food rich in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, vitamin D were associated with optimal functional status and better QoL in geriatric individuals. Educational programmes on the importance of participation in regular PA and healthy nutrition are imperative and recommended for geriatric individuals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos. abigailosho@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: O A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Osho
authors.forename: R O
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Abidoye
authors.forename: O B A
authors.initials: OB
authors.lastname: Owoeye
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Akinfeleye
authors.forename: S R A
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Akinbo
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004435:Eating; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011788:Quality of Life; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires