Nutritional Status and Its Associated Determinants Among Older Adults Living with Dementia in Homabay County, Kenya

Melon Amondi Odoyo; Peter Chege; Winfreda Nyamota

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijnfs.20261505.22

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Nutritional Status and Its Associated Determinants Among Older Adults Living with Dementia in Homabay County, Kenya

Melon Amondi Odoyo^*

, Peter Chege

, Winfreda Nyamota

Published in International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences (Volume 15, Issue 5)

Received: 17 September 2026 Accepted: 4 October 2026 Published: 23 October 2026

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Abstract

Dementia is a growing public health concern among older adults, and its progression is closely linked to dietary practices and nutritional status. In Kenya, dementia research has largely focused on prevalence, risk factors and caregiving burden, with limited attention paid to dietary practices and nutritional status among affected older adults. This study assessed dietary practices, nutritional status and the factors associated with poor nutritional status among older adults living with dementia in Homabay County, Kenya. A cross-sectional study design was used, involving 191 older adults living with dementia attending Homabay County Referral Hospital, sampled using purposive and simple random sampling. A researcher administered questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, dietary practices using a 24-hour dietary recall, Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) and Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), and nutritional status using Body Mass Index (BMI) and the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF). Data was analyzed using SPSS version 29, with chi-square, Pearson correlation and binary logistic regression used to test associations. The mean age of participants was 74.3 ± 8.2 years. Only 11.5% of participants had a high dietary diversity score, and 70.2% did not meet their daily energy requirements. MNA-SF assessment showed that 48.7% of participants were at risk of malnutrition and 19.4% were malnourished. Binary logistic regression identified low dietary diversity (AOR = 3.87, p < 0.001), inadequate meal frequency (AOR = 2.96, p = 0.003), low energy intake (AOR = 2.63, p = 0.007), dependence on own farm produce as the main food source (AOR = 2.14, p = 0.029), and low household income (AOR = 1.89, p = 0.043) as independent factors associated with poor nutritional status. These findings show that dietary practices are strongly linked to the nutritional status of older adults living with dementia in this setting. Nutrition interventions targeting dietary diversity, meal frequency and household food security are recommended to improve the nutritional wellbeing of this vulnerable population.

Published in	International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences (Volume 15, Issue 5)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijnfs.20261505.22
Page(s)	290-296
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Dementia, Older Adults, Dietary Practices, Nutritional Status, Malnutrition, Dietary Diversity, Kenya

References

[1]	World Health Organization. Dementia. Fact Sheet. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2023. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia
[2]	GBD 2019 Dementia Forecasting Collaborators. Estimation of the global prevalence of dementia in 2019 and forecasted prevalence in 2050: an analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Lancet Public Health. 2022; 7(2), e105-e125. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2468-2667(21)00249-8
[3]	Ogunniyi, A., & Farombi, T. H. Documenting the burden of dementia in Africa: new approaches and key lessons. The Lancet Global Health. 2024; 12(12), e1913-e1914. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(24)00370-X
[4]	Alzheimer's Society. The progression and stages of dementia. Alzheimer's Society; 2020.
[5]	Musyimi, C. W., Ndetei, D. M., Muyela, L. A., Masila, J., & Farina, N. Dementia screening in rural Kenya: The prevalence and impact of screening positive for dementia. Neuroepidemiology. 2024; 58(3), 174-181. https://doi.org/10.1159/000536012
[6]	de Rouvray, C., et al. The nutritional status of older people with and without dementia living in an urban setting in Central Africa: The EDAC study. The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging. 2014; 18(10), 868-875. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-014-0483-7
[7]	Christopher, O., et al. Association between geriatric malnutrition and the risk of dementia: a retrospective cross-sectional cohort study in Uganda. BMC Geriatrics. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-026-07769-0
[8]	Homabay County Referral Hospital. Hospital dementia patient records. Homabay County Referral Hospital; 2025.
[9]	Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. 2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census Volume I. Nairobi: KNBS; 2019.
[10]	Filippini, T., et al. Dietary habits and risk of early-onset dementia in an Italian case-control study. Nutrients. 2020; 12(12), 3682. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12123682
[11]	Morris, M. C., et al. Nutrients and bioactives in green leafy vegetables and cognitive decline: Prospective study. Neurology. 2018; 90(3), e214-e222. https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000004815
[12]	Arifin, H., et al. Meta-analysis and moderator analysis of the prevalence of malnutrition and malnutrition risk among older adults with dementia. International Journal of Nursing Studies. 2024; 150, 104648. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2023.104648
[13]	Akinyemi, R. O., Owolabi, M. O., Okubadejo, N., Ogunniyi, A., & Kalaria, R. N. The African dementia consortium. Lancet Neurology. 2023; 22(1), 28. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(22)00475-6
[14]	Bergman, H., Borson, S., Jessen, F., Krolak-Salmon, P., Pirani, A., Rasmussen, J., Rodrigo, J., & Taddeo, D. Dementia and comorbidities in primary care: A scoping review. BMC Primary Care. 2023; 24, 277. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-023-02229-9
[15]	Otsuka, R., Zhang, S., Ihira, H., Sawada, N., Inoue, M., Yamagishi, K., Yasuda, N., & Tsugane, S. Dietary diversity and risk of late-life disabling dementia in middle-aged and older adults. Clinical Nutrition. 2023; 42(4), 541-549. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2023.02.002
[16]	Udeh-Momoh, C. T., Maina, R., Anazodo, U. C., Akinyemi, R., Atwoli, L., Baker, L., et al. Dementia risk reduction in the African context: Multi-national implementation of multimodal strategies to promote healthy brain aging in Africa (the Africa-FINGERS project). Alzheimer's & Dementia. 2024; 20(12), 8987-9003. https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.14344

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APA Style

Odoyo, M. A., Chege, P., Nyamota, W. (2026). Nutritional Status and Its Associated Determinants Among Older Adults Living with Dementia in Homabay County, Kenya. International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences, 15(5), 290-296. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnfs.20261505.22

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ACS Style

Odoyo, M. A.; Chege, P.; Nyamota, W. Nutritional Status and Its Associated Determinants Among Older Adults Living with Dementia in Homabay County, Kenya. Int. J. Nutr. Food Sci. 2026, 15(5), 290-296. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnfs.20261505.22

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AMA Style

Odoyo MA, Chege P, Nyamota W. Nutritional Status and Its Associated Determinants Among Older Adults Living with Dementia in Homabay County, Kenya. Int J Nutr Food Sci. 2026;15(5):290-296. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnfs.20261505.22

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@article{10.11648/j.ijnfs.20261505.22,
  author = {Melon Amondi Odoyo and Peter Chege and Winfreda Nyamota},
  title = {Nutritional Status and Its Associated Determinants Among Older Adults Living with Dementia in Homabay County, Kenya},
  journal = {International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences},
  volume = {15},
  number = {5},
  pages = {290-296},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijnfs.20261505.22},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnfs.20261505.22},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijnfs.20261505.22},
  abstract = {Dementia is a growing public health concern among older adults, and its progression is closely linked to dietary practices and nutritional status. In Kenya, dementia research has largely focused on prevalence, risk factors and caregiving burden, with limited attention paid to dietary practices and nutritional status among affected older adults. This study assessed dietary practices, nutritional status and the factors associated with poor nutritional status among older adults living with dementia in Homabay County, Kenya. A cross-sectional study design was used, involving 191 older adults living with dementia attending Homabay County Referral Hospital, sampled using purposive and simple random sampling. A researcher administered questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, dietary practices using a 24-hour dietary recall, Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) and Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), and nutritional status using Body Mass Index (BMI) and the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF). Data was analyzed using SPSS version 29, with chi-square, Pearson correlation and binary logistic regression used to test associations. The mean age of participants was 74.3 ± 8.2 years. Only 11.5% of participants had a high dietary diversity score, and 70.2% did not meet their daily energy requirements. MNA-SF assessment showed that 48.7% of participants were at risk of malnutrition and 19.4% were malnourished. Binary logistic regression identified low dietary diversity (AOR = 3.87, p < 0.001), inadequate meal frequency (AOR = 2.96, p = 0.003), low energy intake (AOR = 2.63, p = 0.007), dependence on own farm produce as the main food source (AOR = 2.14, p = 0.029), and low household income (AOR = 1.89, p = 0.043) as independent factors associated with poor nutritional status. These findings show that dietary practices are strongly linked to the nutritional status of older adults living with dementia in this setting. Nutrition interventions targeting dietary diversity, meal frequency and household food security are recommended to improve the nutritional wellbeing of this vulnerable population.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Nutritional Status and Its Associated Determinants Among Older Adults Living with Dementia in Homabay County, Kenya
AU  - Melon Amondi Odoyo
AU  - Peter Chege
AU  - Winfreda Nyamota
Y1  - 2026/10/23
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnfs.20261505.22
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijnfs.20261505.22
T2  - International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences
JF  - International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences
JO  - International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences
SP  - 290
EP  - 296
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2327-2716
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnfs.20261505.22
AB  - Dementia is a growing public health concern among older adults, and its progression is closely linked to dietary practices and nutritional status. In Kenya, dementia research has largely focused on prevalence, risk factors and caregiving burden, with limited attention paid to dietary practices and nutritional status among affected older adults. This study assessed dietary practices, nutritional status and the factors associated with poor nutritional status among older adults living with dementia in Homabay County, Kenya. A cross-sectional study design was used, involving 191 older adults living with dementia attending Homabay County Referral Hospital, sampled using purposive and simple random sampling. A researcher administered questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, dietary practices using a 24-hour dietary recall, Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) and Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), and nutritional status using Body Mass Index (BMI) and the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF). Data was analyzed using SPSS version 29, with chi-square, Pearson correlation and binary logistic regression used to test associations. The mean age of participants was 74.3 ± 8.2 years. Only 11.5% of participants had a high dietary diversity score, and 70.2% did not meet their daily energy requirements. MNA-SF assessment showed that 48.7% of participants were at risk of malnutrition and 19.4% were malnourished. Binary logistic regression identified low dietary diversity (AOR = 3.87, p < 0.001), inadequate meal frequency (AOR = 2.96, p = 0.003), low energy intake (AOR = 2.63, p = 0.007), dependence on own farm produce as the main food source (AOR = 2.14, p = 0.029), and low household income (AOR = 1.89, p = 0.043) as independent factors associated with poor nutritional status. These findings show that dietary practices are strongly linked to the nutritional status of older adults living with dementia in this setting. Nutrition interventions targeting dietary diversity, meal frequency and household food security are recommended to improve the nutritional wellbeing of this vulnerable population.
VL  - 15
IS  - 5
ER  -

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Author Information

Melon Amondi Odoyo

Department of Food, Nutrition and Dietetics, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0009-0313-3902
Peter Chege

Department of Food, Nutrition and Dietetics, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya

http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5980-3375
Winfreda Nyamota

Department of Food, Nutrition and Dietetics, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya

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APA Style

Odoyo, M. A., Chege, P., Nyamota, W. (2026). Nutritional Status and Its Associated Determinants Among Older Adults Living with Dementia in Homabay County, Kenya. International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences, 15(5), 290-296. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnfs.20261505.22

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ACS Style

Odoyo, M. A.; Chege, P.; Nyamota, W. Nutritional Status and Its Associated Determinants Among Older Adults Living with Dementia in Homabay County, Kenya. Int. J. Nutr. Food Sci. 2026, 15(5), 290-296. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnfs.20261505.22

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AMA Style

Odoyo MA, Chege P, Nyamota W. Nutritional Status and Its Associated Determinants Among Older Adults Living with Dementia in Homabay County, Kenya. Int J Nutr Food Sci. 2026;15(5):290-296. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnfs.20261505.22

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijnfs.20261505.22,
  author = {Melon Amondi Odoyo and Peter Chege and Winfreda Nyamota},
  title = {Nutritional Status and Its Associated Determinants Among Older Adults Living with Dementia in Homabay County, Kenya},
  journal = {International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences},
  volume = {15},
  number = {5},
  pages = {290-296},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijnfs.20261505.22},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnfs.20261505.22},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijnfs.20261505.22},
  abstract = {Dementia is a growing public health concern among older adults, and its progression is closely linked to dietary practices and nutritional status. In Kenya, dementia research has largely focused on prevalence, risk factors and caregiving burden, with limited attention paid to dietary practices and nutritional status among affected older adults. This study assessed dietary practices, nutritional status and the factors associated with poor nutritional status among older adults living with dementia in Homabay County, Kenya. A cross-sectional study design was used, involving 191 older adults living with dementia attending Homabay County Referral Hospital, sampled using purposive and simple random sampling. A researcher administered questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, dietary practices using a 24-hour dietary recall, Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) and Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), and nutritional status using Body Mass Index (BMI) and the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF). Data was analyzed using SPSS version 29, with chi-square, Pearson correlation and binary logistic regression used to test associations. The mean age of participants was 74.3 ± 8.2 years. Only 11.5% of participants had a high dietary diversity score, and 70.2% did not meet their daily energy requirements. MNA-SF assessment showed that 48.7% of participants were at risk of malnutrition and 19.4% were malnourished. Binary logistic regression identified low dietary diversity (AOR = 3.87, p < 0.001), inadequate meal frequency (AOR = 2.96, p = 0.003), low energy intake (AOR = 2.63, p = 0.007), dependence on own farm produce as the main food source (AOR = 2.14, p = 0.029), and low household income (AOR = 1.89, p = 0.043) as independent factors associated with poor nutritional status. These findings show that dietary practices are strongly linked to the nutritional status of older adults living with dementia in this setting. Nutrition interventions targeting dietary diversity, meal frequency and household food security are recommended to improve the nutritional wellbeing of this vulnerable population.},
 year = {2026}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Nutritional Status and Its Associated Determinants Among Older Adults Living with Dementia in Homabay County, Kenya
AU  - Melon Amondi Odoyo
AU  - Peter Chege
AU  - Winfreda Nyamota
Y1  - 2026/10/23
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnfs.20261505.22
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijnfs.20261505.22
T2  - International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences
JF  - International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences
JO  - International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences
SP  - 290
EP  - 296
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2327-2716
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnfs.20261505.22
AB  - Dementia is a growing public health concern among older adults, and its progression is closely linked to dietary practices and nutritional status. In Kenya, dementia research has largely focused on prevalence, risk factors and caregiving burden, with limited attention paid to dietary practices and nutritional status among affected older adults. This study assessed dietary practices, nutritional status and the factors associated with poor nutritional status among older adults living with dementia in Homabay County, Kenya. A cross-sectional study design was used, involving 191 older adults living with dementia attending Homabay County Referral Hospital, sampled using purposive and simple random sampling. A researcher administered questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, dietary practices using a 24-hour dietary recall, Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) and Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), and nutritional status using Body Mass Index (BMI) and the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF). Data was analyzed using SPSS version 29, with chi-square, Pearson correlation and binary logistic regression used to test associations. The mean age of participants was 74.3 ± 8.2 years. Only 11.5% of participants had a high dietary diversity score, and 70.2% did not meet their daily energy requirements. MNA-SF assessment showed that 48.7% of participants were at risk of malnutrition and 19.4% were malnourished. Binary logistic regression identified low dietary diversity (AOR = 3.87, p < 0.001), inadequate meal frequency (AOR = 2.96, p = 0.003), low energy intake (AOR = 2.63, p = 0.007), dependence on own farm produce as the main food source (AOR = 2.14, p = 0.029), and low household income (AOR = 1.89, p = 0.043) as independent factors associated with poor nutritional status. These findings show that dietary practices are strongly linked to the nutritional status of older adults living with dementia in this setting. Nutrition interventions targeting dietary diversity, meal frequency and household food security are recommended to improve the nutritional wellbeing of this vulnerable population.
VL  - 15
IS  - 5
ER  -

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