Gender and Nutritional Status of the Rural Elderly in Ekiti State: An Empirical Study

This study empirically examines gender differences in the nutritional status of rural elderly persons in Ekiti State, South West Nigeria. Population ageing is a global phenomenon with distinct gendered dimensions, as older women and men face different biological, economic, and social risk factors for undernutrition. Using a cross-sectional analytical design, the study targets 300 rural elderly persons aged 60 and above in Ekiti West and Moba local government areas, with equal gender representation achieved through stratified sampling. Data were collected using anthropometric measurements, a 24-hour dietary recall, the Mini Nutritional Assessment, and a structured socioeconomic questionnaire. Objectives include determining the nutritional status of rural elderly respondents by gender, identifying gender-specific dietary patterns, and examining the social and economic determinants of gender-differentiated nutritional vulnerability. Analytical methods include t-tests, logistic regression, and Pearson correlation. The Gender and Nutrition Inequalities Framework anchors the study. Recent literature from South West Nigeria confirms that elderly women are significantly more likely to experience protein-energy undernutrition due to lower pension income, smaller social networks, and reduced household decision-making power in late life. Findings are expected to reveal distinct gender-based nutritional risk profiles with significant implications for targeted elderly nutrition interventions. Recommendations address the Ekiti State Ministry of Social Development, community nutrition programmes, and elderly welfare associations. Keywords: gender, nutritional status, rural elderly, gerontology, Ekiti State.