Nutrition and Exercise as a Tool in Controlling Cardiovascular Diseases among the Elderly in Anambra State: New Perspective

Alagbu Chukwubuikem Eugene; Alagbu Chinwe Adline; Chike Ijezie Ifeoma Blessing; Agwubike Elias Okey

Alagbu Chukwubuikem Eugene Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, Faculty of Education, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
Alagbu Chinwe Adline Department of Educational Management and Policy, Faculty of Education, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
Chike Ijezie Ifeoma Blessing Department of Medcine and Surgery, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi Campus, Nnewi, Nigeria.
Agwubike Elias Okey Department of Health Environmental and Human Kinetics, Faculty of Education, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.

Keywords: One work-free afternoon, subsidized menu, nutrition, diet in exercise, Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD), elderly civil servants, academic staff of universities

Abstract

The research investigated the perception of nutrition and exercise as a tool in controlling Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) among elderly civil servants in Anambra State of Nigeria. A total of respondents comprising 150 elderly academic staff of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka and 100 senior civil servants in the Anambra state civil service, all in Awka, who willingly, volunteered to participate in the study. Their ages ranged between 55 65 years and were purposively selected. The instrument for data collection was a self structured questionnaire with a reliability value of 0.73 using the test retest method. All data collected were subjected to descriptive statistics of frequency, percentages and chi square inferential statistics tested at 0.05 level of significance. Findings from the study showed that nutrition (diet) and exercise having significant effect in the prevention/control of (CVDs) among the elderly and equally reduce the chances of its on-set among young adults too. It is therefore recommended that at the civil service secretariats, universities and other establishments and parastatals should establish high standard eateries (restaurant) where well qualified caterers would regularly provide quality nutritious diet, at highly subsidized rate for workers in this category. In order to enable these class of workers have at least one good meal per day, in addition to a mandatory one work-free (2.00p 4.00) afternoon for routine/regular physical exercises.