Perfil nutricional e adequação à alimentação saudável de idosos residentes em zona rural

Abstract

Aging leads to physical and physiological changes that can affect the food intake of the elderly, both in quantity and quality. Moreover, social, economical and psychological factors can also influence their nutritional profile. Food choices play a significant role throughout one s life and they should be based not only in the nutritional value, but also in the pleasure they give. The present study is aimed at categorizing the elderly in terms of socio-demographic, economical and anthropometrical variables; determining the prevalence of adequacy to the Healthy Eating for Senior Citizens in 10 Steps Food Guide; analyzing the association between anthropometrical indicators and demographical variables; and assessing the influence of socio-demographic and economical variables in regards to the Food Guide. Designed as a household survey, this analytical, cross-sectional and observational study was carried out with 850 elders living in the countryside. Socio-demographic and economical data were assessed through interviews; anthropometric data such as weight, height, and waist circumference were measured in loco; food intake was assessed by means of a questionnaire that was adapted in the light of food intake frequency. The software SPSS was used to analyze the data. Chi-square test was carried out for comparisons (p<0,05), as well as descriptive analyses and proportion to describe prevalence. The study was approved of by the University s Human Research Ethics Committee, protocol no. 1477. Most elderly were male (52.8%); aged 60-70 (60.6%); married/had a partner (67.3%); lived with partner (47.2%); had studied for 4-8 years (36.7%), and had a monthly individual income equivalent to the minimum wage (48.1%). As for the Body Mass Index (BMI), most of them were eutrophic (38.8%), or overweight (34.4%). As for the adequacy to the Healthy Eating for Senior Citizens in 10 Steps Food Guide, none of them followed all the steps; step no. 8 (low salt intake) showed the highest rate of adherence (94.8%), while step no. 5 (adequate intake of lean meat and milk) showed the lowest rate of adherence (6.5%). Beans intake was adequate for a significant number of subjects (80.1%). Regarding the BMI, overweight prevailed among women (p=0,006), while underweight was registered mostly among those aged 80 or more (p=0,001). High waist circumference (WC) was most common among women (p<0,001) and increased as they became overweight (p<0,001). Regarding the quality of food intake, women showed higher adequacy to the steps; only step no. 9 (adequate ingestion of water) was associated to elderly aged 60-80 (p=0,006); none of the steps was influenced by schooling; step no. 4 (beans intake) was directly proportional to income (p=0,005). The collected data can provide grounds for initiatives designed to encourage countryside elders to acquire better eating habits. It is essential to know people s eating habits and how they are linked to socio-demographic and economical variables in order to implement both local and national programs to promote better quality of life.