Journal of Islamic Studies and Culture

Assessment of Dietary and Exercise Behavior of aging Muslims in Thailand
Jaruwan Phaitrakoon RN, Srisuda Rassameepong, Ninlapa Jirarattanawanna, Sukonvattanaamorn, Phagapun Boontem, Narunest Chulakarn

Abstract
Background: Globally and in Thailand there are growing numbers of aging that can lead to chronic diseases. This study aim to study the dietary and exercise behavior of Muslim elderly. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a sub district of Pra-arjarn, Thailand. Total of 174 elderly Muslims were selected by simple random sampling method. Results: This research reveal that the majority of them between 60-98 years old and had the illnesses, such as hyperlipidemia (85.1%), diabetes mellitus (77.6%) and hypertension (46.0%). The frequency of food consumption such as soymilk, milk, and calcium added milk ranged from 0-2times/week. Chicken, entrails, desserts, sweet beverages, and coconut milk were consumed on an average of about 3-7times/week. We found that most of the participants were health knowledge in healthy food consumption and exercise was good level (89.7%) while health behavior and belief in healthy food consumption and exercise were moderate level 60.3% and 67.8 %, respectively. Conclusions: Aging Muslims in our sample were exposed to high density high fat foods and ate milk less frequently including the health behavior was moderate level. Therefore, this community should be add the various strategies for health behavior relieve the chronic diseases of people.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/jisc.v5n1a3