Food preferences of middle aged and elderly subjects in a Brazilian city.
OBJECTIVE
The objectives of this study were to assess data on the consumption frequency of some food items and the places they are purchased, especially by adults and elderly subjects, and finally to determine their food preference using cluster and correspondence analyses as a diagnosis and prevention factor.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Town of Serranópolis do Iguaçú, State of Paraná, Brazil, city with 4,854 inhabitants of which 22% are over 50 years old.


METHODS
Two hundred and ninety five randomly selected subjects (96 men and 199 women), between 51 and 91 years old.


METHODS
A socio-demographic and food frequency questionnaire was applied via home visits including questions on socioeconomic, anthopometric and health characteristics concerning the consumption frequency of 45 food items and the places they were purchased, using a five point category scale to obtain consumption data as well. The body mass index (BMI) was calculated using the Quetelet Index and compared with the World Health Organization Report Consultation on obesity. The cluster and correspondence statistical analysis were used to determine their food preference.


RESULTS
From the correspondence mapping (which explained 89.1 % of the variance), it was possible to determine aspects regarding the non-consumption of instant soups, frozen vegetables, cookies, crystallized fruits, canned fruit, distilled drinks and beer.


CONCLUSIONS
The dimensional representation structure demonstrated that the population of Serranópolis, who were 62 % overweight, preferred high fat content products, suggesting a reevaluation of their eating habits in the expectation of preventing non transmissible chronic diseases. The value given to farm production in Serranópolis do Iguaçú was also observed.
Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, Campus Medianeira, Parque Independência, Medianeira, PR, Brazil. saraspathy@yahoo.com.br
S N T G
SN
De Mendonça
H C A D N T M
HC
Brandão
W A P L N T M
WA
Brandão
C A A
CA
Quintino
A
A
De Francisco
E
E
Teixeira
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D059305:Diet, High-Fat; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D050177:Overweight; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D004041:Dietary Fats