[Alimentary, nutritional and health aspects of elderly women in attendance at the Núcleo de Atenção ao Idoso, Recife/2005].
Aging has become a worldwide problem. In order to identify food, nutritional and health aspects of elderly women, a across-sectional study was carried out in 2005 with 106 women over 60 years of age cared for at Núcleo de Atenção ao idoso-NAI at Federal University of Pernambuco. Clinical and social-demographic variables, along with the nutritional status by BMI (OMS and Lipschtz) were assessed, and the frequency of food intake according to food groups. The results disclosed that 38% of the elderly were pre-obese (WHO) and 47.2% were overweight (Lipschitz). As for blood pressure (BP) 69% was found to be hypertensive and 31% normotensive. The BMI mean of hypertensive and normal elderly women was statistically significant (p=0.027). Cereal and bread groups were reported to have been the highest consumption on a daily basis by the elderly women, 89% and 82% respectively. Legumes were present in 53% of the women's meals followed by vegetables with 61% and fruits with 66%. Concerning water intake, 51.9% stated to have ingested one to four glasses of water daily. There was a positive correlation between BMI and systolic (SP) and diastolic pressure (DP) (p<0.001). SP and DP levels showed no correlation with the food intake studied. The results are indicative of an overweight and not conscientious population as regards adequate food intake and point to the necessity of more effective actions in control and/or prevention, particularly for those still young.
Departamento de Nutrição da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Brasil.
Tânia Campos Fell
TC
Amado
Ilma Kruze Grande de
IK
Arruda
Rogério Anderson Rodrigues
RA
Ferreira
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015930:Diet Records; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors