The study examined the nutritional status and wellbeing of older persons in Oredo and the Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State. It was aimed at looking at the relationship between food intake, dietary intake and nutritional status of older persons. A total of one hundred and forty five respondents were used for the study through a mix method approach. The body weight, height and grip strength were measured, and the Mini Nutritional Assessment questionnaire was used to collect the nutritional data. We observed from the findings that 56% of the respondents eat three times daily, and the daily calorie intake from food composition was low due to limited milk use and dairy products. This study concludes that nutritional vulnerability includes good nutritional status and diet quality, and sufficient protein and micronutrient intakes are essential for the health and well-being of older people. The study recommends that the government should strengthen the elderly financial base through a social welfare system and the provision of food banks for older people.

University of Benin Faculty of Social Sciences Department of Sociology and Anthropology Benin City Nigeria

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