Physical Activity Level, Nutritional Intake, Functional Status and Quality of Life of Geriatric Individuals in Lagos, South-West, Nigeria: A Cross Sectional Survey

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 overallquality 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 ofthe 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 anassociation 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.Conclusion: 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 geriatricindividuals. Educational programmes on the importance of participation in regular PA and healthy nutrition are imperative and recommended for geriatric individuals. Key Words: Physical Activity, Geriatrics, Nutrition, Activitiesof daily living, Quality of life

Haematological Profile Of Parachanna (Channa) Obscura Gunther 1861, Malapterurus electricus Gmelin 1789 And Malapterurus minriya Sagua 1987

No Abstract. Animal Research International Vol. 2 (2) 2005 pp.297 – 30

Growth response and apparent nutrient digestibility of weaner rabbits fed with diets containing bamboo leaf meal

A ten-week feeding trial was conducted to determine the growth response and apparent nutrient digestibility of weaner rabbits fed with diets containing bamboo leaf meal (BLM). Eighty weaner rabbits were allotted into four dietary treatment groups of twenty rabbits each. The dietary treatment groups consisted of four rations containing 0 (control), 10, 20 and 30% BLM respectively. Rabbits fed diet containing 10% BLM had the highest (P<0.05) final live weight, weight gain and apparent ether extract digestibility. Lowest (P<0.05) final live weight, weight gain, apparent crude protein and ash digestibility were noticed with rabbits fed with diets containing 20% or 30% BLM. Rabbits fed with diet containing 30% BLM recorded the highest (P<0.05) feed intake and lowest (P<0.05) NDF digestibility. It was concluded that inclusion of 10% BLM in diets for weaner rabbits supported improved growth and nutrient digestibility.Key words: Bamboo leaf meal, digestibility, performance, rabbi