~ 316 ~ International Journal of Home Science 2018; 4(3): 316-319 ISSN: 2395-7476 IJHS 2018; 4(3): 316-319 © 2018 IJHS www.homesciencejournal.com Received: 24-07-2018 Accepted: 25-08-2018 Dr. Balwinder Kaur Associate Professor, Govt. College for Girls, Patiala, Punjab, India Prabhjot Kaur Assistant Professor, Govt. College for Girls, Patiala, Punjab, India Correspondence Dr. Balwinder Kaur Associate Professor, Govt. College for Girls, Patiala, Punjab, India Food habits and dietary pattern of the elderly men belonging to different income groups Dr. Balwinder Kaur and Prabhjot Kaur Abstract The present study was designed to know the food habits and dietary pattern of elderly men belonging to different income groups. A sample of 100 elderly males, 50 each belonging to high income group and low income group in the age group of 60 and above were selected from four different villages of district Ludhiana. The method used for investigation was questionnaire-cum-interview method. The questionnaire was formulated according to the requirements of the study. Detailed information on food intake was recorded for three consecutive days by using 24 hours recall method. Dietary survey of older persons provide useful information on the kind and amount of food consumed, food habits, eating pattern and the frequency of use of specific food. For elderly of HIG various lifestyle factors like lack of help with shopping, preparation of food, companionship during meals etc. do play a role in food intake. Some of them did not have regular meal timings as they suffer from acidity or loss of appetite. 28 percent elderly males of high income group and 72 percent of low income group did not have this habit. Biscuit and namkeen were the common food items consumed in between the meals by both income groups, while fruit, panjiri, mathi etc were common food items nibbled in between the meals by high income group. It is suggested that nutritional status of the elderly should be improved through nutrition education and counseling. So family ties should be strengthened for better emotional stability and good health of elderly people. Keywords: Income group, elderly men, food habits, dietary pattern, nutrition education and counseling 1. Introduction Nutrition is of prime importance in maintenance of health from cradle to the grave. Our happiness, capacity for rewarding work and even our length of life depends on good nutrition. Nutrition is the science of foods, the nutrients and other substances therein, their action, interaction and balance in relationship to health and disease. Man needs a wide range of nutrients to lead a healthy and active life, and these nutrients are derived through the diet he consumes daily. (B. Srilakshmi, 2009) [5] . Old age is best defined as the age of retirement that is, 60 years and above. Improvement in health care technology has resulted in increased life expectancy. The number of persons in old age has increased. In India, the elderly constitute about 7percent of the total population and by 2016, the number is likely to increase to 10 percent. The number of old age people is expected to cross 177 million by the year 2025. (B. Srilakshmi, 2014) [4] . Ageing is accompanied by a variety of physiologic, psychological, economic and social changes that compromise nutritional status. Nutritional status surveys of the elderly have shown a marked increase in the risk of malnutrition and the evidence of subclinical deficiencies. (Bendich et al., 1997) [1] . The dietary pattern and food preferences of the elderly are largely the result of longstanding food habits which are often affected by the individual’s social, economic and regional background along with the availability of food at the time when these people were young and their food habits were being formed. (Khanna K et al., 2013) [3] . Hence the present study was conducted with the objective to know the food habits and dietary pattern of elderly men belonging to different income groups.